Bizarre Bazaar

  This year, the lovely ladies of Chikoko hosted their first annual Spring Bizarre Bazaar. It was a collection of talented artists and designers selling their delights at a local venue. It was so amazing to walk into a place and witness such beauty and creativity all around. There was everything from jewelry to art to clothing to garden tools. All of it handmade, and all of it inspiring. I love that each artist worked his/her own booth so you got an opportunity to meet and get to know the person behind the designs.
   I went on Sunday, and I brought my kids and my mama-in-law.  I wanted EVERYTHING! I swear, if I were rich, I'd go broke spending my money on things for sale in that room alone. It was such a treat to see familiar faces and meet new ones. I was also so impressed by people I already know making new things. It is amazing to watch other artists evolve.
  I couldn't stay long, (my son was getting over an ear infection), but I got to squeeze some friends, make a couple purchases and snap some photos. I can't wait for the next Bizarre Bazaar, usually around the holidays, it is the best place to buy gifts. I have a "one for (fill in name here) and one for me" policy.  My gosh I love this town!

Dreadful Kitty

Muir Hughes

oh baby, that's my girl! Sadie Rose!

Zeeko Bag

David "Dragonboy" Sutherland

Jen Moon

Fortunes and Folklore

Julie Demaggio

Jaime Hughes Artgirl Colormagnet

Adorn by Mari

Swallowed by a Seamonster

About a month ago, I was a part of an event called "The Delta of Venus". On the same night, only one block away, was an art showing at the Ray Ray Gallery. The show was called "The Secret Adventures of Miss Muffin" by the lovely Seamonster. She has been one of my favorite artists since I first laid eyes on her work about a year ago. I hopped over to the exhibit during my event, to give her a squeeze and to stare in amazement at her new paintings. Not only is she gorgeous, smart, sweet and extremely funny, she is crazy talented. Crazy. I am in awe of her work and hope to hang one of her paintings on my wall in the very near future.

Seamonster

Art lovin' hipsters

Claire Fong

Dragonboy

Day Five Fashion Challenge

Here it is, my last day in the fashion challenge. I have enjoyed the last five days and feel re-inspired to step things up in my everyday attire. I am surprised at what a challenge it was for me. I am very excited to throw on the old jeans come tomorrow, but for today, I wore this:

                                                                 Plaid button up shirt (thrifted)
                                                            Vintage wool poncho/shawl (thrifted)
                                                                   Denim mini skirt (thrifted)
                                                                       Wool tights (gifted)
                                                           Vintage blonde lace up ropers (thrifted)

There was a buzz in the hall at drop off today, and it seemed like the ladies stepped it up for the final challenge day. I had another friend approach me to let me know she was also inspired by my challenge and chose not to default to her jeans today in participation. I tried to snap a picture of her, but my camera took a blurry pic and I felt it didn't do her outfit justice.

                     Here is Adriane in a corduroy pencil skirt, tights, cowboy boots and zebra print hoodie.

                         
                    And Amy in her cowboy boots, legwarmers, skirt, jean jacket and printed scarf.

    Well done ladies! And well done for the other participants who I haven't had the pleasure to photograph.

 I spent my afternoon thrift shopping in Paradise (sans kids), and grabbed a bunch of cute new things for myself and the shop. More on that later...
  I will be visiting my husband's grandmother in Santa Rosa and will most likely have something to share on Sunday. I hope everyone has a great weekend! xoxox

Day Four Fashion Challenge

  As I mentioned in my last post, I went out with the girls last night and was in bed too late to be up only a few hours later. So my outfit today reflects how unable I was to put together a full fledged "outfit". It is raining and very cold. My outfit would have been a lot cuter if I was allowing myself to wear jeans. Today was truly a jeans with thigh high legwarmers day. But I resisted, staying true to the challenge. Fashion isn't rocket science, but it does take brain power. Today, I just don't have it.
  Dragging myself out of bed to take the kiddos to school I managed to cover my body with articles of clothing. I'm sure all of the parents and staff at school at least appreciated that much. But here it is, in all of it's boring glory.

            Black corduroy bell bottoms, cowboy boots, vintage sweatshirt, puffy sweater vest, chunky scarf and favorite "bad hair day" hat. (all thrifted)

Amy rolled in later than usual, and despite her late night, she also managed to not wear jeans.

Festival pants (Renouveau Clothing), slouchy turtleneck sweater, puffy vest and coffee (a much needed accessory)

It was a pretty quiet morning at drop off, but Adriane was there, not in jeans. Although she declined an "outfit" picture (she felt it wasn't worth the photo), I had to take a picture of her AMAZING ass. How that girl's butt can look like that in yoga pants is a wonder.

 

Sorry to disappoint, but some days are better than others. I will go to bed early tonight and be sure to have a clear head when I get dressed tomorrow. Today may not have been "fashion week" worthy, but at least I am still committed to the challenge. xoxo

Girls Gone Wild

 Last night, a bunch of my girlfriends and I went out for some fun. I have the best group of friends who manage to have fun wherever we are. We went to our local bar for "dance night" which is anything from 80s to reggae to hip hop to bass-thumping techno. We stayed out WAY too late and I am suffering for it today. I am a square (no drink no drugs), but my friends aren't. I am happily the designated driver for these nights, but it does suck to be the last one home.
 Unfortunately, I only brought my iphone and the pictures I got were pretty blurry and ill lit.  Being that I am the one with the camera, I didn't get a good "outfit pic". Too bad, it was cute. I managed to snap one, in my mirror at the end of the night. It is still crappy, but you can get the idea.

                                                                      Floral thermal (thrifted)
                                                  Polyester plaid hip-hugger bell bottoms (I made)
                                                                     Cowboy boots (thrifted)
                                                                        Fringe bag (I made)
                                                              Vintage rabbit fur jacket (thrifted)

    Trust me, it was much cuter in person and I was stopped all night about my pants. I felt good and it was the perfect cold night dance outfit.
     I picked up my best friend before we went out, and she showed me a jewelry box she acquired from her grandmother after her recent passing. I pretty much let out a scream of delight because it was a treasure trove of vintage costume jewelry. I couldn't help piling on the fun and ended up with two bracelets on each wrist and two rings on each finger.

                                                                                                         

                                       Here are some more random blurry pictures from last night.

                                                                         
                                                           Til next girl's night out!
                           

Day Three Fashion Challenge

Over the hump and things feel normal. I will admit, I DO miss my jeans, but this has been fun. A bunch of my girlfriends and I are going out tonight and are going to take the challenge along for fun. I think it will be easier to wear a non-jeans outfit when you are going out. We are going to a local bar for dancing, so it will still be pretty casual, but we'll sauce things up a bit.

 

sweater tunic (thrifted and altered by me)

leopard print peek-a-boo leggings (thrifted)

feather earrings (Renouveau Clothing)

vintage Frye boots (thrifted and then cut to "shorties" by me)

Yesterday got pretty busy after I picked my son up from school, so here are a few pics of my friends and their outfits.

Rose day two in a green corduroy mini, tights, crochet to and work boots. Rose day two, (with her sweet hubby), in jean shorts, (I'll let her slide), with tights and cowboy boots.

                                  

Amy, day two in yoga flares with skirt, vintage Levi's vest and patchwork handbag. Day three, black corduroy bell bottoms, cowboy boots, sweater and puffy vest.

Adriane, day three, corduroy flares, cowboy boots and belted cardigan

                                                                                            

Day Two Fashion Challenge

Today seemed much harder than yesterday. I think the difficulty is trying to wear an outfit that is comfortable, and not too dressy. But once I let that go, and decided to put on something that I liked, regardless of comfort or appropriateness, I found an outfit that I loved. And it wasn't even uncomfortable.

 

my most favorite vintage sweater (thrifted)

black mini skirt (thrifted, then altered to it's new mini length by yours truly)

multi colored ethnic print belt (thrifted)

black patterned tights (target)

tall vintage 70s boots (etsy)

There were a number of friends at drop off today that were looking fabulous and excited about day two. But I, of course, left my phone (with camera) at home. I will make sure to take some pics later today of other participant's outfits and post them this evening. Looking good ladies! Keep the momentum going!

Day One Fashion Challenge

 My five day fashion challenge started off with a bang. I'll admit, I was a little whiny about it this morning when I got up and I was tired and cranky. I just wanted to throw on the old favorite jeans, Uggs, a sweatshirt and run out the door. But after a small internal pep talk, I came up with this:

 

Thrifted gray thermal

 Green vintage mini dress

 Leopard print tights (Target)

Vintage Frye cowboy boots (etsy)

I went to take my kids to school and, of course, ran into my best friends, (dropping off their kids), in the hallway. I was so happy to see them in their non-jeans (although Amy was wearing a denim dress, I told her that was OK).

 

Adriane in her corduroy flares, cowboy boots and puffy vest

 

Amy in her denim dress, cowboy boots and quilted jacket.

My outfit, with a 70s duster (from the 360 Ecotique) and my fringe bag.

The silly thing was, it wasn't hard or uncomfortable. I felt cute and I didn't feel overdressed or out of place. What on earth is so appealing about jeans? It is decided. This is a great challenge for me. If anything I get to show off some clothes that don't get a lot of wear in my closet. And who knows? After this week, maybe I won't be so quick to grab for the same old boring pair of jeans.