an extra something special

I know you are tired of hearing me complain of the weather but I simply cannot take it anymore. It is cold, cold, cold! I just booked my weekend to sunny Las Vegas for the last weekend in April for my fathers birthday so that should be a nice get away. 

My outfit consisted of me just trying to keep warm...very casual, very simple.I added the fox stole just for kicks and to add 'something special' which is how my 'man friend' told me I looked today. "extra special"...hey it made me smile so I won't complain!

sweater: american rag

fox stole: collar to a coat i own

tank: target

pants: urban outfitters

socks & necklace: jcrew

flats: zara

bracelets: gucci, tiffanys & tous

turban time

I have been struggling with my bangs in all honesty. I take the time to blow dry them out and I think they look good then about an hour later they don't anymore. They have been a nice change, and everyone loves them but I wish they would grow out already. (I know I'm picky) It was nice to put a turban on today and not have to worry about them. I owe a thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Jessie with The Concrete Catwalk, who did a 'how-to' on making a turban here. She is amazing if you have never checked out her site.

As you can tell by my outfit I am tried of winter and ready for the bright colors of spring :)

scarf: old navy

sweater: h&m

shorts & tights: Forever 21

boots: vera wang for kohls

earrings: from my grandma

Sign the petition to save Lennox the pitbull!

As you may know from my many posts about them, here and here I am the biggest lover and advocate of pit bulls. They are the most loving and amazing breed that has somehow developed a bad and undeserved rap. 

The sweet and loving puppy face you see below you is Lennox. 

A beautiful American Bulldog Labrador cross in Northern Ireland

 Lennox is now 5 years old and on May 19th 2010 was taken from his owners by the Belfast City Council Dog Wardens because he was of 'pit bull' breed. Northern Ireland is trying to implement the no 'pit bull' law but has yet to go through. Lennox has been wrongfully taken and they want to kill him.

 This picture is Lennox locked in his inhumane Belfast Council kennel surrounded with sawdust for bedding and his own feces. I am heart broken to hear of the mistreatment of this poor animal in Ireland.

But there is a way we can all help! 

Visit the website now for more information

http://www.savelennox.co.uk/

 and sign the petition NOW to free Lennox here

It is the least we can do to SAVE this dogs life!!

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated"
- Mahatma Gandhi

5 favorite things

{pointe shoes via weheartit}

I danced almost my whole life from the age of 5. With the busyness of the real world after college I stopped. I have decided that I am going to start taking classes again because I miss it tremendously. My heart aches every time I see any of my dance shoes. So of course I had to make a good dirty pair of pointe shoes part of my '5 favorite things'.

 {beautiful roses that make me smile every morning}

 {incredible vintage fabrics I plan to make dresses with, note the one on top}

 {a cute card from my mother}

{gorgeous vintage shoes I wish fit me...buy them here}

Getting more things up on Etsy slowly but surely...patience is a virtue my doves :)

the girl in blue

The sun was shining today and for some reason I was in the greatest mood, which was surprising. 

This weekend I found this great house in downtown Ann Arbor that was in need of some work but overall just beautiful! 1930s built, all brick, 3 bedroom, great yard = perfect :) (a little background note...Ann Arbor is an expensive place to live for Michigan, taxes are extremely high, rent everywhere is really high (I pay $1000 for a small two bedroom) so finding a house for a good deal does not last long.) So sure enough not more than ten minutes after scheduling another viewing for today...the house was off the market :( I was so bummed.

But nonetheless I think I owe my good mood due to the fact that I gave my presentation today after working on my research summaries all semester long so I am pretty much done with class! And the sun just makes me happy even though it's only 40 degrees :)

This necklace has an amazing story. It was originally my great-great grandmothers, Grace Alhstrom, she handed it down to my great grandmother, Francis Alhstrom, who handed it down to my grandmother, Barbara Alhstrom-Smith, who gave it to me about 5 years ago :) It is so beautiful and sometimes I cant believe how old it is. Upon receiving it is when my love and obsession with everything vintage began!

button up, tank & tights: jcrew

skirt: target (old)

belt: urban outfitters

necklace: vintage

flats: too old to remember

Help Heal Japan

I thought I would share an incredible fashionable way to help Japan. We have all heard about it, the effects are heartbreaking and devastating...Japan is left in turmoil. By now you have probably seen a million ways to help Japan such as here but I think I have found my favorite way and that's through fashion.

Jedediah clothing, a humanitarian fashion brand has teamed up with Bulldog Drummond, an innovated and consulting design agency and created a super cool and cute line of t shirts to benefit Japan relief efforts through World Vision. Within days of the earthquake and tsunami, World Vision was in Sendai helping. They are providing blankets, waters and other essentials to communities. 

The line is so great....my t-shirt is in the mail as we speak :) They are only $20 each and $15 goes to World Vision...you can order a shirt here

Here are some of my favorite t-shirts they created:

 ^ the one I ordered :)

Together we can make a difference and help heal Japan. Two amazing companies have teamed up and are making sure World Vision has the resources to do all the need to "World Vision is already the beneficiary of our Spring and Summer 2011 collections," says Kevin Murray, CEO of Jedidiah. "We have been so impressed by their work in Japan over the past week and wanted to use our resources to be a part of their efforts." By March 16, World Vision had raised $2.4 million for the Japan response. All of this money will be used for distribution of relief supplies and they plan to build "Child-Friendly Spaces", a place where children can go and get psycho-social support, help them resume normal childhood activities, and experiences structure and security which can be lost during emergency situations. For updates and information on World Visions progress and plans in Japan visit them here or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews

Also make sure to follow Jedidiah for updates, sales and inclusive invites here or on their Facebook, blog or Twitter.

Such an incredible effort on all companys' parts, make sure you get your t-shirt to help heal Japan today!

sunny with a high of freezing

The weather lately is abnormally cold for late March...we should be in the 50s but it's in the 30 instead. (what happened to global warming?!?) I wake every morning to the sun shimmering through my blinds and think it's going to be warm just to find out it's cold! Guess I shouldn't complain since we have no snow.

This week as I said has been super busy. I am still working on my research summaries for class which is consuming all my time. I hope to get them done today...I will celebrate. I ran outside today to grab some quick outfit shots because I feel like I have been a bad blogger :/ 

My outfit was again simple and casual...seems to be the theme this week...I think it's due to sleep deprivation and being so super busy! Thank God for great accessories that make it appear as though I am trying. These jeans are on sale right now at JCrew and I recommend them to anyone...they are perfect! 

sweater and jeans: jcrew

moccasins: very old and ragged

necklace and swallow ring: forever 21 

watch: gifted by my company

bracelet: handmade by pieces of terra

"I think it's fun to dress up...it's an excersize in creativity!"

I found this video on Advanced Style an amazing blog written by a man actually, Ari Seth Cohen. If you have never check it out...you simply must! He takes photos of the most stylish and fabulous older people in New York city! They live life to the fullest and are always dressed to a T! Together with Lina Plioplyte, they created a video with the featured women and they talk about their personal style and creativity. The video was featured on Nowness, an amazing website that brings together, culture, fashion, beauty and global lifestyle.

Watch and learn everyone! I hope you become as inspired as I was!!

Advanced Style: Age and Beauty on Nowness.com.

"Big girls need big diamonds." R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor

 

 "I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can't possess radiance, you can only admire it."

Today we lost one of the great actresses of The Hollywood Golden Age, Elizabeth Taylor.

 Born February 27th, 1932. Taylor made her debut as just a kid starring in Lassie Come Home in 1943.

 Taylor won two Academy Awards for Best Actress one for her performance in Butterfield 8 in 1960, and for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in 1966.  

She was awarded the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award in 1992 for her work fighting AIDS.

In 1999, Taylor was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. 

She had an incredible passion for jewelry and perfume!

Cat eye inspiring as Cleopatra in 1963.

She will forever be remember and loved by many. 

R.I.P Miss Taylor...you will inspire forever!

 

"When people say, "she's got everything". I've got one answer- I haven't had tomorrow."

5 favorite things

{a recent vintage find...I can't wait to wear it}

I think I am going to make my '5 favorite things' a weekly post from now on because I enjoy doing them. This week has been so busy already. Work, school, blogging, my booth, estate sales...I don't know how us bloggers do it. My booth at the antique mall is going very well, lots of sales. I apologize to those of you waiting for me to fill my Etsy shop...it will be very soon. I have so many items patiently waiting to go in.
I have 5 research summaries due Monday for class and then my schedule will be less hectic.
The cold and rain is no help to anyone's mood so I have to find happiness in the little things....here are some

 {a new bottle of one of my favorite perfume}

 {the perfect knit sweater from h&m}

{an amazing case/clutch for my iphone, it holds my phone, cc, id and $}

{peonies...my favorite flower}

as casual as it gets

Was such a long and busy weekend, sorry I didn't blog much. I had friends in town, St Pattys Day, nights out...I am completely exhausted. After a long weekend like that the dreariness of Monday made me even more tired. On days like this after a long weekend I stick with something comfortable.
Thought I would switch it up to show you guys how I look when I am really casual!
It's the first day of spring but yet here in good ol' Michigan it's still wet, dreary and chilly :(

{new OPI nail polish- Nicole Alert}

scarf, jacket, sweater: j crew
shirt: kmart
leggings: rue
boots: lucky brand
watch: converse via FABB gift bag
hair bow: vintage