you make everything brand new

I've missed a couple Friday Favourites now, mainly due to laziness. 

what, let's be real. 

so I decided to make a giant one. made up mostly of Modcloth items I want... and accessories to go with them. basically it's a new spring/summer wardrobe for me. and isn't that something we all want?

I know I do. especially if it involves new jackets and hobo bags.

1. ethereal girl dress

2. denim jacket

3. dots and dashing dress

4. zara casual blazer

5. bright of way bag

6. Ecote bettina suede fringe hobo bag

7. step into style flats

8. charter school cardigan in candy counter

9. soft trench coat

10. lemony thicket dress

11. baker's dozen flat in lemon

12. under the gazebo dress

13. winter blooms faux leather moto jacket

14. delightful return dress

15. day in, day outside hat

16. it's business time bag

17. make it happen cropped blazer

18. hooved on a feeling dress

19. lively in loops heel in pink

20. Puerto Nuevo embroidered blouse

21. wine and dandy top

22. majestic in Marseille dress

23. sweet talk tee

24. mountaintop mist bag

25. detour du jour blazer

26. Desiree polka dot anorak by Tulle

27. moto short denim dungarees

28. Seychelles scoundrel in tan

blue jean baby

I've made it my mission this summer (if the season ever decides to grace us with its presence) to find the perfect pair of denim cut-offs.

I've never really been one for shorts, but cut-offs just look so darn cool. studded, distressed, lacy, or tie-dyed; these shorts suit every style from boho hippie to punk babe. I'm drooling over the uber-distressed and studded kind, and the acid-wash dip dyes! and while everyone and their dog rushes to the nearest mall for a pair of American flag denim hot pants, lets not dismiss the aesthetic qualities of the good ol' maple leaf!

these are some of my favourite styles from around the web...

1. topshop // 2. koi story // 3. turn up the volume // 4. moleek ones

5. koi story // 6. topshop // 7. topshop // 8. hanmattan

9. new look // 10. vagrant vintage co. // 11. stephers mcpeppers // 12. topshop

13. turn up the volume // 14. miss domineek // 15. koi story // 16. glorious morn

I feel like if I can finally find a pair to accommodate my shapely thighs, I could live in a good pair of denim shorts and a super-baggy tank top. I think it's a very "California cool" look. and believe me, I'd much rather be "California cool" right now than "Scotland chilly."

what's your favourite denim short?

tiny dancer- Elton John

down to the fair in town

just before my magical trip abroad, my friend Kaitlin (who you might remember from her blog, Adventures of the Mischief Machine) invited me to a vintage fair. yes, I know what you're thinking- a vintage fair! right here in Aberdeen! it isn't a regular occurrence, but it was very cool. so many gorgeous dresses! gah. if I hadn't been leaving for a very expensive trip I would have bought at least six.

there was a lot of great stuff, actually, and I wish events like this happened more often in Aberdeen! one of the organizers gave me her card and they have a facebook page, but I seem to have misplaced it in the frenzy of travel preparations. if I find it I will post the info here, because it's a great event to check out.

so without further ado, here are some pictures! I really hope this happens again soon, and I really hope I'm not dead broke when it does.

playing: Independence day- Martina McBride

good things come...

monday again! man, there are so many mondays in a year. how do we ever get through them all...

today I escaped work while it was still (barely) light out, so Brando and I grabbed some quick photos with the first spring daffodils. there are just a few sprouting up right now, but later there will be fields of  them to play in. it's hard to believe spring is on its way... and I can't even remember what summer feels like. but it's nice to not need your mittens every day now.

dress- AX paris via newlook // cardigan- primark // hat- accessorize // boots- forever21

tangent: I got this cardigan for £5 (about $8) and it is exactly what I was looking for in a cozy, chunky cardi. I had my eye on this one from Asos, but there was no way I could justify paying £40 for a plain sweater right now. I'm glad I waited, because the one I have is almost exactly the same, and I definitely get more bang for my buck! 

moral of the story, kids, is good things (and cheaper things) come to those who wait. and who visit bargain stores more often. 

sure, there was only one left and I got it at about four sizes too big, but... £5.

anywho. moving on. 

after some quick snaps I made cream cheese enchiladas and we had a friend over for dinner. I used this recipe I found through pinterest, and it is soooo good! I made a few modifications with mine, but essentially all you need to make them awesome is cream cheese. which basically makes everything awesome. basically.

after dinner we all went out to a movie. it was nice to have some real social interaction that didn't involve blaring music or impending hangovers. all in all it made for a very lovely monday indeed. 

here's to a week starting off well!

playing: seeds- hey rosetta!

c'est la vie

it snowed here in Aberdeen today. it wasn't the softly falling, nice-to-walk-in snow, but there it was, nonetheless. it's getting more wintery every day.

the cold is making it increasingly challenging to dress for outfit pictures. I don't really want to wander around alone in the bad weather then set up my tripod, remove all my outerwear, and stand freezing while people stare at me like I'm an idiot. not appealing.

but I'm hoping I'll come up with a solution soon. and for those of you who might be having more specific wardrobe issues, I have some more party wear ideas!

I thought I'd share a little inspiration from French hottie Brigitte Bardot. she was such a spirited beauty, and her look inspired modern-day fashion mavericks like Kate Moss and Georgia Jagger. also, she had great hair.

Brigitte Bardot was the coquette of the silver screen- and I don't mean just because she was French. she was Hollywood sex kitten mixed with European-farmer's-daughter. sweet and sexy at the same time, with her famous tousled mane and coy smile. 

Brigitte was best known for what little clothes she wore; she was known as "the bikini girl" and had no problems posing or appearing in the nude. but when she was dressed, she knew how to enhance her Lolita-esque persona with the clothing to match.

Brigitte knew what she liked and stuck with it. the Bardot neckline- wide, off-the-shoulder- was named for her, and she single-handedly made gingham chic with her pink checked wedding dress. the important things to remember when dressing like Brigitte are waist-cinching belts, cutesy patterns, and just enough bare skin. 

Brigitte's style matched her personality; playful, provincial, and eclectic. she was equal parts girly and sensual. but the most important thing you'll need to pull off her signature look is that feisty attitude!

Brigitte's look was more about the "French riviera" than "Hollywood bash", so many dresses one might choose to emulate her might not necessarily be season appropriate. not to fear; just throw on a trendy fur stole and some dark tights, and even florals can work at your holiday soiree!

1. Modcloth // 2. From Brooklyn with Love // 3. Modcloth // 4. Deseo vintage

things to remember about Brigitte style; minimal accessories, and flats whenever possible!

doesn't this totally make you want to be a French girl?

no?

just me then.

♥!

playing: let it snow- Michael Buble

hey big spender...

I thought since posts have been a little slow lately that I'd finally take the time to really introduce my little shop my closet feature.

a lot of bloggers have one of these shops, and I think it's a fun way to get rid of things you don't wear anymore and share with your readers!

now, I have major pack rat issues, so getting rid of an item of clothing takes a lot of convincing. several pros-and-cons lists have been made in the past. I have too often found that when I finally decide to give up on something that I just don't wear enough, the perfect occasion on which to wear it arrises very soon after. this makes me very distraught. hence the reluctance to give up anything remotely wearable.

but, I have pulled myself together just enough to get over my irrational fears and put some of my treasures up for sale.

here are a few items that are available right now!

1. purple betty dress // 2. degrassi pink skirt

3. prairie pumpkin dress // 4. girl about town dress

5. goldenrod sweater // 6. lady gray blazer

7. victorian booties // 8. retro white wedges

9. crinoline/petticoat

(please note that not everything in the photos is for sale- I just wanted to show each item's true potential by making a pretty outfit for it!)

I plan on adding a couple items a week till my wardrobe is down to a more manageable size. it's going to get harder and harder to give things up each week! but hopefully the shop will just keep getting better and a lovely reader will find something they like.

check back in a little while to see what else is up for grabs!

and now that I'm done this, I get a cookie!
♥

playing: killer queen- queen

a little bit crazy

now that I've covered- or at least introduced- the subject of Halloween on this blog, I can move on to more pressing matters.

I'm taking a big risk with the following post.

I'm risking that you will all think I have a slight mental imbalance. because this, my friends, is my Christmas wish list.

before your mind explodes with shock and possibly horror, understand two things; one, my mother asked me for one early this year, so I figured I'd go all out and have some fun with it. two, there's only so much a person can do with halloween. unless you want a post on my favourite candy...hmm...

and so, I present to you, my ridiculously overdone, categorized, very early Christmas list (with pictures!).

disclaimer: obviously I don't want ALL of these things, but they are some ideas for the completely clueless. plus, this was fun.

1. the Urban Decay anniversary palette (at Debenham's + Sephora)

2. a cute deer hat like this one! (if anyone wants to attempt, the pattern is here) 

3. knee-high black fringe boots- these specifically , or some very similar. 

4. MAC lipstick! favourite colours include vegas volt, show orchid, up the amp, + violetta

5. a purple velvet blazer like this one, or this one.

1. a stylish + practical camera bag from the lovely folks at Jo Totes.

2. Marc Jacobs Lola perfume

3. a flip camera (my camera is fabulous, but has no film setting!)

4. Hunter wellies- absolute necessity in UK. I'm now leaning towards violet.

I'm obsessed with every Topshop sweater, but these are my absolute favourites. I'm especially partial to the squirrels, and the red version of #3.

for my Modcloth wish list I just copied-and-pasted from the last wish list I posted- I still want the same things! see how good I'm being? I didn't buy any of these.

I have an Etsy wish list a mile long, but just one of these three beauties would be amazing. (really they should be on the pricey list, but this way it's more specific...)

1. Thrust Vintage 

2. Raleigh Vintage

3. Atherton's Vintage

more Etsy stuff! I always love jewellery as a present.

1-4, Roots & Feathers

5, Ginny & Harriet 

I miss my discount. :(

1. American Apparel pants are the only ones that actually fit me. I'm not being a brand ho, it's actually true. I really want a pair of high-waisted jeans.

2. tri-blend raglan in green!

3. this cardigan is wayyyy to expensive. should have bought it before I had to quit...

4. TIGHTS. oh my gosh, do I need tights. in black, columbia, red, and sangria. (yes those are the colour names. I remember them.)

Annie Greenabelle makes the prettiest, eco-friendly dresses ever. again, expensive...but hey, it's a wish list. you can get them for yourself (or me!) at the designer's website, or the black on is on Modcloth, and the other is at Topshop!

always a favourite of mine... these are just some suggestions. :)

can I be any clearer? a book you love, a book you think I will love, a book by Margaret Atwood... go crazy!

gift cards are underrated. I prefer ones from H&M, Chapters, and Starbucks. 

and that's all, folks! 

I know this loooong list may make me look more vain and material than having a style blog already might, but in all honesty, the thing I want most is to go home for Christmas. I want to see my friends and family and my city and enjoy every last minute of holiday goodness. I am SO excited, I couldn't care less if I got even one of those items above.

it sounds cliche, but I mean it one million billion percent. 

♥

oops, I did it again

I've been a bit of a blog slacker the last couple days, but in my defence it was kind of a rough week. nothing a good pizza-fest and hundreds of Boy Meets World reruns couldn't fix. I promise, back to regularly-scheduled programming tomorrow.

for now, I did find a new shopping site for you to visit! it's called A Wear, and it's brand based in Ireland, but they ship internationally (not to Canada though- sorry homies). they have some really nice stuff at reasonable prices, and from what I gather if you use the code "LOOK2011" at the checkout you get 20% off. so it's worth a look, anyways!

here are a few items I found that I really like... especially the black booties... winter is nearly upon us in northern Scotland and I have no black boots!

I hope the code still works if you guys decide to try it out!
catch ya later.
♥

playing: break even- the script