Penny Saver: Cheery Morning

I am not a morning person. But I do have to, thanks to classes and the little dog, wake up quite early. I've put in place a series of little things to cheer me up because of this, so I thought, since some of you may not be morning people, that I would share. First, my morning cup of coffee. I prefer it done with a french press but it doesn't always happen, however the addition of my favourite mug helps elevate any cup of joe(by the by my mug is white with pink polka dots).
This is my second secret weapon. During the winter my sensitive skin gets terribly dry, this is the only thing I've found that helps. It's very heavy and yeh, it's yellow, but it gives you a gorgeous glow and keeps your skin quenched all day. Just remember to let it soak in before you put on your makeup(you might want to enjoy your coffee while you wait).
This is my final weapon against blustery winter mornings, grapefruit lotion. It makes me happy. It's cheerful and bright smell makes me grin even on the grossest winter morning.

Anyways, those are my weapons against morning(particularly winter mornings which are the toughest) what are yours?

The Flower of Death

Trusting people isn't easy. It's harder when they give you every reason not to trust them. In spite of this I give people the benefit of the doubt, not always to good ends. This is one of those occasions. Awhile ago I wrote about a certain someone who read my blog and relayed the information in it to my ex. I wasn't sure who it was, until now. I have discovered it is someone quite close to me, not emotionally so much as physically. I don't know why this person chose to do this, save for the fact that she dislikes me. But it is cruel and uncalled for, and now that I know I am taking every measure to remove this person from my life. As I've said before, my ex has substance abuse issues and the information that I was dating someone else was traumatic for him and his reaction was traumatic for me. As far as I'm concerned the actions taken by this reader, who also snooped uninvited through my computer to find this blog, were malicious and intentionally harmful to myself and others. To those of you who have been kind and supportive readers, I appreciate you even more now and I hope that your holidays are wonderful and that you're surrounded by people who you love and love you. As for that certain reader, rest assured that I know, and while I am not vindictive like you, I am not the type of person to take things laying down.

New Years Rock and Roll

OK, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help me figure out what to wear for New Years Eve.

Here's the deal, my roommate and I are going to a bit of a crazy New Years night. My old boss is in a Guns and Roses cover band, don't laugh, which is actually pretty legit. They've been on Letterman and they're rated like the top in the country and the band is made up of musicians from Takka Takka and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. It's also just a crazy, loud, drunken night of debauchery. And since my past New Years have gone epic-ly bad I've decided that crazy is the better way to go.

What I need from you is to help me figure out what to wear...beginning with the above leggings. Please keep in mind that I have a limited budget, sooo either things that are cheap or could be found cheap. Feel free to use polyvore or whatever you like best and feel free to email me or comment. OK guys, get to it!

From Russia With Love

It is darn cold out!!! No wonder I'm seeing Russian inspired fashion everywhere. The above pic is from last year(maybe even older) but it's a timeless winter look. And with H&M putting out those glorious fur hats now everyone can rock the Russian look.
I like this grunge take on it. Though for me I would prefer thicker tights, my poor little legs would get cold.
This too is glorious. I love the moodier mink colored hat. Especially with the pretty blue of the dress.
This is probably my fav look. I love the mix of patterns/textures and the gorgeous Fall colors.

Girl Crush

I've got a girl crush. This, if you don't already know, is Willa Holland. She was in The OC at one point and though I don't watch it was apparently in Gossip Girl.
I think she's fascinating.
Obviously she's gorgeous, she's got lovely eyes and that fascinatingly full top lip. She's also go that pretty long, brown, shiny, straight hair.
But what I really like is her high school bad girl appeal. Weird, I know.
But this chick just seems fun, she seems like the kind of girl I would've wanted to hang out with in high school, also the kind of girl my mom would have said hell no you can't hang out with her to. Thus solidifying her appeal
So maybe it's my inner high school rebel that loves this girl and her smudgy eye liner and penchant for cigarettes and compromising photographs but I just can't seem to get enough. Like I said, I've got a girl crush.

You Made My Day

Yesterday someone told me I looked like her, and gosh it made my whole day! Who do people say you look like?

The Painter in Paris

My roommate and I have this thing, we like to troll Craigslist searching for apartments for our completely unrealistic dream lives. One of my many dream lives is to be a poor but happy painter in Paris. It is a dream because it is a sad fact that I cannot paint, though my finger paintings are quite good.

The Painter by acelovesvintage featuring Betsey Johnson jewelry

Mostly what I want is the excuse to wander about drinking good coffee and wearing charmingly paint splattered clothes, smoking cigarettes without worry about the consequences and of course, lots of hats, scarves and maybe a delightfully scruffy painter boyfriend.
This would be my charming studio and oh yeh, that's a working fireplace for those nights when the passion of painting becomes discussions of art and life while drinking red wine in front of a fire. Ah yes, that would be the dream.

What's your dream life?