Outfit Post: Gingham Girl

The monsoon-like weather here in VA means I've been living in jeans, big sweaters and my rain boots.  But things started to ease up yesterday and I wanted to *really* get dressed. So I did.

I thrifted this vintage cashmere top a while ago and have been dying to wear it, so I started from there. It's the perfect canvas for my brooch collection, and I see myself pairing it with cute skirts all fall/winter long. It was also brisk enough for my favorite jacket, another wardrobe staple that I found at the end of winter last year:

 outfit details:  sweater-vintage, typewriter brooch-vintage via Etsy, belt-vintge, skirt-vintage, tights-random, heels-Jellypop (via 6pm.com)

The gingham pleated skirt was also a recent thrift purchase--for a more formal occasion, I think I'll put a vintage crinoline underneath to add fullness.  But it's another great staple piece for my wardrobe, which I need to do a better job of curating. I fall for bright colors or fun prints, but in the end, I often don't wear them.  My black/red/white/navy/gray/occasional mustard palette seems to work well. I need to purge my wardrobe and rebuild a little...

Happy sunshine-y day, the first sun I've seen in almost a week! We're planning on getting out and enjoying it (and not wearing waterproof footwear!).

xo,

Amanda

Outfit Post: Birthday Date Night

My sweet husband had a birthday this weekend, and we had been planning a special Thursday-night date for a month.  It's been a while since we had a night out just the two of us, so we were both pretty excited. We got to visit our new neighborhood bar, which has an awesome beer selection and menu of all grilled cheese (vegan too!).  I had tomato/avocado/vegan cheese an Q got one that had pastrami, swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing (yes, I had a bite, even though I've gone back to my vegan diet. YES, it tasted pretty darn good).  After dinner, we went to see a show of his favorite singer/songwriter, or, as I like to call him, his man crush.

 Outfit details:  dress-thrifted, dice necklace-vintage, belt-vintage, tights-random, 

heels-Dolce Vita (thrifted!)

I love this man so much!  We celebrated all weekend long. But today it's back to the grind...until this upcoming weekend, when my family comes to town! Woohoo!  October is off to a great start.

xo,
Amanda

Outfit Post: Beach Babe

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today's outfit is not red, white and blue (gasp!).  And it's a picture of me in my bathing suit (second gasp!).  Well, sort of...I am accepting my mama curves these days, but not to the point that I'm comfortable for half naked photos for all the world to see!  That's why I love a good vintage coverup--I found this one just in time for our vacation:

 Outfit details: retro bathing suit (Walmart--I KNOW! Another gasp.), floral sarong-vintage, hair flower-Forever 21, bracelet-random 

We took these photos at Cacapon State Park--Aurora, Jayme, my mom and I all had on black or black and white bathing suits, so we got a great shot together.

The bathing suit is a 50s style, and the wrap is more of a 70s floral, but I think they work well together.  I actually did briefly remove my sarong to sit in the water--you know it's hot when I don't give a damn who sees my pasty, squishy white legs!

Hope you are enjoying a day off, cold drink in hand, thankful for your freedom. ;)

xo,
Amanda

P.S.  Wanna wrap yourself in a cute vintage coverup?  Here are some similar vintage sarongs from Valley of the Sun, Bad Cholla Vintage (a matching set!), gogo vintage, and Alicja Vintage.

Outfit Post: Art-o-Matic

After an amazing weekend, it sure is hard to come back to "work."  The rainy skies make it a little easier, though, as though the Universe is crying with me.

What made this an amazing weekend, besides the weather?  An awesome Father's Day, celebrating the best dad EVER(!), and a Crooked Hearts performance at Art-o-Matic.  It was our biggest performance to date, and we had an incredible time! So many family members and friends came to support us, and the sound was awesome.  And best of all, my outfit was awesome, if I do say so myself:

Outfit details:  dress-Betsey Johnson (thrifted!!!), purse-vintage, sandals-Blowfish 
 

I did my own hair and makeup, and was so pleased with how it turned out that I had to take gratuitous photo (you can follow me on Instagram @mandamiska for more of-the-moment photos, etc.!).
  My friend Kathryn also got this great shot at the show, and our friend, Quin, was doing professional videography, so stay tuned for some Crooked Hearts video goodness in the future (even sooner if you LIKE us on Facebook!).  I met my bandmate's sweet 9 year old niece for the first time, and the first thing she said was:  "She looks like Katy Perry!"  It was the sweetest thing ever, I almost cried from laughing. I told her it was the best compliment I'd ever received (even if I don't think I'm nearly at Katy's hotness level).  I think it definitely boosted my stage confidence. ;)

Also--this dress!  I found it last week while thrifting,  and it fit like a dream, even though the tag had a much smaller number on it than I usually wear--the bodice has elastic and the halter is adjustable, so to my surprise, when I tried it on just in case, it was perfect.  I squealed a little. Betsey Johnson? Fruit print? 1950s style? It was a match made in heaven--and perfect timing.

Back to the grind now--Mondays are terrible for me, but the rest of the week is smooth sailing.  We have some great blogs in store, so stay tuned!

xo,
Amanda

Outfit Post: Anchors

On a little thrift excursion this week, I hit the jackpot. This vintage skirt would normally go in the shop, but it has an anchor print and it fit me, so basically, there was no chance I could let it go.

I have been on a very 50s pinup kick (with a modern twist)--I don't know if it's the new tattoo or some other outside inspirations, but I'm all about the cateye and red lips and cute scarves and feeling very girly. So don't be surprised if you see more looks in the same vein...

Outfit details:  headscarf-vintage, tee-Threads for Thought, rope belt-vintage, skirt-vintage, shoes-Pink Studio (thrifted)

To be honest, after I took these shots, I went right back inside and put on jeans instead of the skirt because even though it looked sunny and gorgeous, it was a little chilly and windy for bare legs.  But I can't wait to actually wear this skirt out...and sunless tan my legs (ugh, are you blind yet?).

Happy Friday!

xo,
Amanda