Tiny yet stylish

I've lazed in bed all day, but I couldn't resist posting a picture of my niece. Only six, but with the style judo of someone much older, Miss Ellie threw together this outfit for Christmas Day, and promptly struck this attitude when my sister asked her to pose for the camera.

And lest you doubt her fashion blogger prowess, please note that all her clothes are thrifted, right down to her boots! Ellie picks out her own clothes to wear, according to her moods, veering from fashion plate to hippie flower child to tiny hobo to regular Wal-mart kid within the week. I'm thinking about borrowing her verve AND her moxie. Luckily, though, I won't have to borrow the boots since I have a similar pair.

almost Christmas!

 Last day of work before Christmas break! Yay [Kermit flail]! I went for comfort rather than style today - as if I'm normally a Cosmo fashionista...but still, jeans instead of more dressy pants and a drover style shirt rather than something more worky. The little necklace you can't really see is my skull (a personal non-favorite of my little mama). At the moment it's on a black silk strand, instead of the red braid below. Also, over the months, the gold has aged a bit, so it's now acquiring a rosy-gold/copper patina in places. I personally like this even more than the plain gold! Also unseen: I have my hair up in two mini-buns, aka what my office calls my Princess Leia look (even though hers were over her ears BUT ANYWAY). It's mega cute and pretty non-professional. My niece has a similar hairstyle that she likes and we just call it her kawaii hair.

Top - Simply Be, Under-tank - Hanes (dyed purple), Jeans - Avenue, Shoes - Earth Spirit, Jewelry - JewelMint, Send the Trend, and sister.

So excited for Friday!

 Yay! Friday! It's been such a long week. [Cue frantic smile in above picture.] One week of work left and then Christmas vacation for me. I have mostly everyone's presents - I'm only lacking a few things for the munchkins. I love shopping for other people. The only problem is that when I find that wonderful present for someone, I immediately want to give it to them. I'm not big on waiting, but I actually started shopping in November this year, so it's been really hard on me not just flinging presents at people so I can see their faces.

 This red sweater is about as Christmassy as I like to dress. I'm not an elementary teacher, you know (no offense intended). Red or maybe green (and not both together) is enough for me. I have to stop the little mama from getting me overly Christmassy shirts, or just sigh and wear one on Christmas to make her happy.

Jen says this is a flip - two strands of hair twisted over each other, not a true braid. I've also seen it described as a rope braid.

Sweater - Avenue, Pants - Denim 24/7, and yes, I did put on jewelry and shoes later.

a big ol' rope of hair

Yes, I am this pale. And! This is my actual eye color, often disguised by how squinchy my eyes get when I smile/when I'm tired and look snarky. A light blue-gray, the same as both of my grandfathers had. No one else in my immediate family has them. This sweater is my one exception to cap sleeves, which I hate, because it's not really like they're cap sleeves. Just little sleevelets, really. I would buy another, but the only other color is Aqua (ick, turquoise).

Little full-length photo to reassure you that I still have a body.

  See, big rope of hair. This is a Dutch braid (aka an inside out French Braid). I might need to get Jen to check and see that my hair is still growing out all even. I don't really get split ends, but I had layers (not such a great idea with my hair and my laziness in hairdos) and I'm still growing them out.

Sweater - Simply Be, Undershirt - Mossimo, Pants - Lands End, Boots - Avenue, Necklace - self-made.

Let's discuss the word of the day

The word of the day is labyrinth! Labyrinths have been walked as spiritual meditation (solo and in groups) since the medieval ages for certain, although we know they were used by Egyptians, Greeks, and Cretans. I have on a labyrinth necklace, designed to match the one on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral. 

To jump topics, but not words, one of my favorite fantasy movies (as a child and now) is the 1986 Jim Henson directed Labyrinth starring David Bowie (and his package). I have actually seen Michael Moschen, the man who performed as David Bowie's hands for the crystal ball contact juggling, perform in person! And yes, it was totally awesome, even though he wasn't David Bowie. The movie Pan's Labyrinth is equally fantastical, but also batshit crazy and scary. That's what you get from Guillermo del Toro.

sparkle-less

Slightly fuzzy picture today, but let's concentrate on how I forgot about EBEW and didn't wear sparkles! Oh, the tragedy! I didn't even realize it until I saw Mia's post. It seems like I've had to reach for several of the EBEW posts, but I could have totally nailed the sparkle/sequin one. At least I have my watch necklace on to console myself and make me feel a smidgen cooler. It was a busy morning - I had to do my own hair and everything, says the lazy girl. (When my hair is braided, it's a sign that my little Mama or my sister has had time to do it for me.) I know my mama at least loves it down, but wearing headphones almost all day at work (so the quiet doesn't drive me mad) would mess up a "casually wind-tossed do", and my hair gets naturally frizzy over the day as I run my hands through it. A bad habit I know, but better than heavy drinking, I hear.

Sweater - Avenue, Pants - Lands End, Booties - Viva La Diva, Watch Necklace - Amazon.

yes I live in this cardi

It's been a few days since I posted, and I didn't even think to look at my blog to see what I wore last. Which is why I'm wearing the same cardigan, and all black again! I do seriously love this cardigan (they have it at Simply Be in black and purple now). It's very soft with the rounded "stud" embellished shoulders to give it character. And the silvery gray is just gorgeous.  As you can tell, I didn't check my necklace before snapping pictures, though! So very tangled up...

Gracey was sweet enough to include me in her post today about large calves and finding boots to fit them. (sidebar: if you don't read Gracey's blog, start. She's awesome, and even orange hating shorties like me get tons of great ideas from her.) ALSO, the name of our (me and my sister's) etsy store has changed. We are now Stitch and Bead, rather than Birnam Grove. You can even friend us on Facebook!

Cardigan - Simply Be, Tank - Calypso, Pants - White Stag.

Don't you wish you were smug like me?

The message for today: Don't shop anywhere online but Amazon, eBay (rarely), and Simply Be. Simply Be comes in clothing sizes 10-28, and shoe sizes 6-11 (with some 5s and 12s), widths Standard - EEEE, and Calf Width Slim to Extra Ultra Wide. I just had a couple of disappointing experiences with Avenue, a company that makes the best seamless panties, but is highly questionable on other items. Pantyhose were much too short (despite me being firmly within the size guidelines), shirts were much too large...unless you can shop at the store, I wouldn't suggest it.

BUT! Simply Be has served me perfectly every time. Free shipping and returns, always. The only boot brand ever to fit my calves (Viva La Diva - and they're super comfy too!). With the exception of the Glamourosa 2 Button Detail Tops, nothing has ever shrunk. Nothing has ever fallen apart in the wash. The sweaters all keep their shape. It's just...quality clothing. Pricier than Avenue or OneStopPlus, but well worth it, since the pieces last, and are really nice. And not boring nice, but awesome nice (particularly Joe Browns stuff). At the moment, I would like the Bird Print Tee. Flutter sleeves and thigh length!

Today's outfit - Cardigan - Simply Be, Shirt - Avenue, Pants - Denim 24/7, Necklace - JewelMint.

Friend is a four letter word

 I know you've seen these shoes of mine a million times. BECAUSE THEY ARE ADORABLE! Gray felt with little extraneous brass buttons! Seriously, how much cuter could they get? And I'm smiling! Fun times for all. Are any of you on Spotify? My blog post is a Cake song, a truly fun band. Come friend me on Facebook (with a little note that you follow my blog so I don't go "I don't know this person! No friending!), and we can share music!

Cardigan - Simply Be, T-shirt - Avenue, Pants - Denim 24/7, 

Jewelry - Send The Trend. (Or maybe JewelMint.)

Here's leering at you, kid

 Instead of a cranky look OR a smile, today we have a leer. It's...close to a smile? Anywho, I'm surprised my dad let me out of the house in these pants. Looking at them, they are too short, even with flats (and my dad has serious issues with people's pant length, oddly). These must have been a pair of petites. I have a short rise, and plus size pants, especially, seem to have long crotches. But evidently my legs needed that extra inch or two. The things you learn from pictures!

Dutch Braid

Sweater - Redoute,  Shirt and Pants - Avenue, Shoes - Dexter, Necklace - Send the Trend.