Fireworks

My annual fourth of july post. I don't know about you but I like to dress the part for the 4th. I bust out my red, white and blue and go for it. In honor of that I've found some red, white and blue for you as well. Hope you like it!
high waisted jeans or shorts would be great with this for a casual look. You could also pair it with a sweet skirt or even wear it over a bikini for a 4th of july beach party.
how great are these? They're so classic and of course you can wear them all summer, not just the fourth.
Oh I love it, how sweet! It's fitted and charming and just a bit silly.

It looks like I'll be heading to NYC for the fourth. I've got a few parties to attend and some good friends to run into. My social life is more or less exclusively in NYC at this point, I've got the contents of my apartment ready to go and frankly, I'm ready to hit the road. All I need now is a job to come through and I should know sometime around Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

In the Sun

Cleanin' Up by acelovesvintage featuring Wet Seal tops

This is basically what I wore/am wearing today. The first is for work the second is for cleaning up the new anitques I scored when I get home. My loving mother got me a gorgeous mahogany dresser that I've been lusting after. Only $30 at a local auction. It's curvy and has feet and it terribly dirty. But it will be amazing. I also picked up a new to me kitchen table yesterday. In what my mother and I have come to call the "divorce" between B and I he got our beloved 1950's yellow formica table. I got the kitten and the apartment, so I can't complain. But lord I loved that happy yellow table. Since I moved I've been searching everywhere for one and last night I hit pay dirt. I had to drive an hour and a half but she only cost me $75(way under the 300 I'd seen for some others) and she's gorgeous, I've named her Doris Day. She needs a whole lot of cleaning but I think she'll look lovely, I can't wait to have a glass of lemonade on her. Pictures as soon as she's all spiffed up!

What I'm Listening to:

In the Sun- She & Him

P.S. antiques are a great way to go green!!

To Crop or Not?

Crop tops, they terrify and intrigue me. On the one hand they're fun and trendy and a little tongue in cheek, which I like. On the other hand, bare mid drift. Will it come off tongue in cheek or will it come off floozy, or worse, bad retro, I don't know. Here's a pic of a crop top I picked up on a thrifting whim. It's a very 90's fitted green bra top, but the question, how do I play down it's 90s-ness a bit? Have I gone too far? Is my sample outfit a little too spice girls? I've got another crop top that's red and white striped as well and I've got no clue how to wear either. It's a tragedy really. Got any suggestions?

Once a King or Queen of Halsey Always a King or Queen of Halsey

^The ceiling in my old roommate at Halsey's room.

Ah new york, new york. It was so good to be back. You want the recap? Ok, I'll try and keep it short...

So I arrived in NYC with the help of my mom's best friend who is a real-estate agent in Tribeca. We got into the upper west side and I hopped a subway bound for my beloved Brooklyn. I arrived and was met by my ex roommate/pseudo ex beau. The one I mentioned who I dated for awhile after B and I broke up. We're not dating anymore but we're still good friends and whenever I'm in NYC I still crash at Halsey Kingdom. I met him at our two friends adorable little ground floor brownstone and we had a few beers and some mexican candy in their charming little backyard. It made me terribly jealous, it is exactly the kind of apartment I want. It was also so much fun.

Now, the next part of my evening requires a little explanation. For the sake of full disclosure I'm going to be straight up with you. I did the unthinkable. Ok, so here's the thing, several of my good friends admitted to doing it too and so I got curious. I figured, what's the harm, I'll just give it a try, have a look around. But then, I was hooked. That's right, I tried online dating. So, I had yet to actually get up the nerve to embark on any actual dates but there was this one guy I'd been talking to. We'd exchanged a few messages, he'd called and we'd talked for an hour(yeh, like in middle school), and he seemed sweet and non ax murderer-y. So I said to myself, Self, why not, let's give it a try. So I packed my metaphorical pepper spray, casually informed my best friend and then hung up on her before she could lecture me, put on my pretty blue maxi dress and headed out to the west side.

I met him at a cute, darkly lit little bar, we found ourselves a quietish corner and a few glasses of wine. To my complete shock and awe it was neither awkward nor blood bath horrible craigslist killer like. It was actually, kind of, fun. And the fun kept coming, we talked, we laughed, we headed to a new quieter and only slightly brighter bar which afforded the luxury of a couch. Bars with couches get serious points in my book. We had a few more beers, psychoanalyzed each other(what, what do you do on your dates?) and then all the sudden he looked at me and said come home with me. Yeh, I know, alarm bells should have gone off. But instead I found myself getting in a cab bound for the upper west side(my what a circular day) and then I found myself getting falafel(yum). And then I found myself making jokes in an upper west side studio with a boy who was playing guitar.

As it turns out dating, while scary, can also be really really fun. I don't know if this will go anywhere, maybe, but either way it was a really great date with a really sweet guy. He has since called(side note: we're also getting married and coming up with names that fulfill both our irish and indian heritage...kidding) and I will hopefully be seeing him again. However, the next day and therefore the next post was the interview, dun dun dun...

Outfit I Would Live In

Seriously, this is gorgeous. The perfect summer to fall transitional outfit. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to unearth my plaid button ups and high waisted jeans and find that fantasmic belt.

Bushwick Blues

I leave on Wednesday for NYC again for interview round two. The nerves are already setting in, anybody got a Valium? I've got no clue what to wear, I don't know when I'm heading there or for that matter where I'm staying(details, details). The website for the studio I'm interviewing at is under construction, of course. I know I'm a good interviewer, I know I know what I'm doing, but this is my only shot so far, it makes me nervous. Ahhhhhh.

This weekend I went back to my hometown for my two best friend's little sister's graduation party. I got to see a bunch of old friends which was so great but lord did it make me lonely at even the thought of coming back to Ithaca. The other thing that made me surprisingly lonely was the fact that I was THE ONLY single person there. Ouch, self esteem and pride. My one friend is engaged and rolling up on the one year till her wedding. My other friend, granted after many failed attempts, has a very sweet new boyfriend. Her older sister is still dating her boyfriend from high school, wtf? One of my guy friends has been with his girlfriend for years and there I am, single, and ready to mingle? With who? I suddenly found myself craving that companionship, that team feeling, that partner. And I had nada, though my glass of wine did it's best to be supportive by remaining at all times full.

Usually I'm pretty ok with being single, fancy free or whatever. I like to flirt, I like to go out, I'm rabidly protective of my freedom of choice and independence. But recently(and this is in part because I am sequestered hermit like in Ithaca) I am feeling lonely, I am feeling incomplete. And while I try to keep my chin up, shoulders back, head high, shoes tied, I get down and I want somebody there to kiss me and say it's ok. For now I'm focusing on the job thing, my inner mantra is a continuous run-on of job, apartment, dog, job, apartment, dog. There is no boy in that equation, boys can come after that. But it doesn't mean I'm not feeling a touch lonely.

Now because I'm pretty sure he has a bell in his house that rings every time I either swear I'm done with him or am feeling particularly down on myself, my ex boss texted me. I hardly ever hear from him, we were one of those never began and never ended scenarios. I really liked him and I've got no clue how he ever felt about me other than he would never give in but would never walk away. I'll admit, he's kind of a mess, he's a musician who's rarely around, he's too often self centered and vain but he has moments, and bare with me while I justify all that no good lover man mess away, he has moments where he is sweet and he lets his guard down and I'm hooked. I'm like a big dumb puppy, I growl and I snarl and I keep my back to the wall but then he's nice and I roll over and give in.

So now my best friend and I had already planned to go to NYC for 4th of July weekend and were going to see a show of the band that he happened to sign to the label I used to work out. Well, turns out he'll be there, all sweet talk and whiskey and I'll do my dog and pony show with a rousing refrain of "I don't care" and then I'll give in and hopefully my best friend will drag me away and chain me in a basement far far away from the temptation of my cell phone and a bottle of Jameson. I know I know, I make it sound awful like a bad indie movie but it's not bad really. He inspires me to do more with my music, and he's a good friend and I'm comfortable with him. The problem of course is that he won't just give in, isn't that always the problem though?

What I'm Listening To:

Bushwick Blues- Delta Spirit

Lulu Has The Keys To My Wallet

Lulu.com is trying to swindle me out of my hard earned cash, and they're doing a damn good job. Their dresses, and you know I have a weakness for dresses, are glorious! This first one I wasn't sold on until I read the name of it. It's called the "Best Revenge" dress. How fabulous is that?! It's got studs and sexy all wrapped up into one. And I know a little someone who deserves this exact kind of revenge.I seriously love cut out back and the little heart cut out on this is so sweet I don't even think I would mind the inevitable funny tan lines.
I'm convulsing, this dress is too lovely. I have a weakness for red dresses and this one is delightful! It exposes all the lovely bits, like legs and back, without looking one bit trashy. J'adore.
What a lovely dress, and I happen to have the perfect plum colored patent leather mary janes to go with it. I'm just saying.
This is another great work dress, it's classy but whimsical which more or less describes my work style(odd?) . I'm like a fairytale for the corporate world.
Ok, this charming piece of fabric is the perfect park dress. Also it has a cut out back. Hurray! You could wear it to work with a cardi and then head out for sunshiney post work drinks.
This is called the drive in movie dress and will someone please buy it for me? It combines several of my favourite things, red, that impossibly flattering high waisted skirt and a cut out back and my personal fav, pockets!! I'm in love!

Curiouser and Curiouser

Unbirthday Party by acelovesvintage featuring Vivienne Westwood shoes

A happy unbirthday to me!!

I have decided that I deserve a party. An unbirthday party. When I get a job and my darling best friend and I find an apartment and move to new york I am throwing us a house warming unbirthday party. I'm talking tea cups and tiny cakes and silly costumes and other such nonsense. There would of course be a heart shaped red velvet cake(yum, my fav) and me in black and red cause after all, I'm the queen of hearts. Just like the picture, and how great is that jewlery???I would really love to have a little top hat on a headband like I've seen out there. You are, of course, all invited. I'm a fan of theme parties, are you? Know any good themes?

P.S. I think this dress would be swell!

The Job Hunt: An Employment Warrior

Here's the thing, I'm a smart girl and I know how to play my cards. And right now I'm approaching job hunting like a battle field. You've got to have a strategy. You can't just go out guns blazing, showing 'em all you got. You've got to play your cards right. I started off applying, contacting some old employers, but it was leisurely, casual, I hadn't begun my full blown stalking yet, I was assessing the enemy, I sent in spies, I tapped their phones and sent out a few exploratory submarines. Then I upped the anty, I started using(at a friends suggestion) a Brooklyn address on my resume, this was when I sent out the first wave of troops, guerrilla fighters disguised as killer resumes. The result, a few more replies in general but nothing from the fortress that is the music industry. Next I informed them of my immediate availability to interview and subsequently start working, I dropped the parachutes in, I armed the missiles but wasn't quite pushing the button. Hey, I'll sleep on the street if I can get a job. Job first, we'll figure out the rest later. Then I started calling, sweet talking receptionists, some of whom weren't so sweet, my spies were among their soldiers but they were still in the bottom ranks. Still, my enemy did not concede. I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve but my artillery is running low, my spies have switched sides, my tanks have a flat and my submarines are in Bermuda. It's starting to look like I'm going to have to just throw it out there, give it all I've got, Braveheart style running onto the field painted blue and outnumbered, I just might have to push that button. So this is me, kilt clad and out for blood, I'm pulling out all the stops, calling in the reserves, getting off my horse and going in bare knuckled. In short, the music industry had better prepare, cause I'm backed into a corner and I'm going to fight my way out.

Frivolity

This is a post about the frivolous things. As I believe I have made clear I am bound and determined to get back to NYC(and when I get there my fellow NYC bloggers will be bound and determined to come get a celebratory drink with me). I am in the mean time biding my time with an office job and a long list of resumes but I can't help but dream about my fancy life in NYC. Now, I know I will be broke, but that doesn't mean I can't be fabulous. So this is a post about all the extras, the etc.'s the little bits more. The things that we don't really neeeeeed per say. Sure, without them the earth will continue to turn, the sun will shine and the stars will sparkle but would it turn, shine and sparkle just a little bit more with them?

Frivolity by acelovesvintage featuring Forever21 dresses

Frilly tap pants and turquoise hot pants, why? I don't know, because.

Charming mustard yellow shorts that are just a bit too twee.

Tortoise shell cat eye sunglasses, I'm indulging my inner screen siren.

A black leather hoodie to indulge my inner bad ass.

Lacy black lingerie, to indulge my inner vixen.

Heart shaped sunglasses, these are actually a must for me, I own several frivolous pairs.

Beautiful dresses, one that's all too sweet, one that's so exotic and one that lets me sparkle.

Red ballet flats with a lightening bolt to indulge my inner super hero(excellent for interviews when you need a little oomph).

Drop dead have to have it gorgeous jewelry to indulge my inner queen.

Red heels with a sweet little bow, 2 parts sweet, one part saucy.

Ink Love: This Next

Meet my new tattoo, ok ok, this isn't mine. But I will soon be sporting a similar one. I'm thinking of doing my "mad to live" like this instead of my ribs. What are your thoughts?

Gradituation

Thought I'd share a quick picture from my graduation. That's right, I'm officially a big girl. My family came in, there was walking and diplomas and frankly, I was exhausted! Andddd, I nearly slept right through my 8am meet time and had to book it, wet hair and all, to the TD Bank Garden for the graduation. Thank god for my trusty blue bike Daisy who got me there in the nick of time. Now if only she could find me a job!

What I'm Listening To:

History From Below- Delta Spirit

The Prodigal Daughter Returns

It's been a long absence and I apologize. I have been rigorously searching for a job in NYC and settling in to my parents lake house. Well the kitties and I are settled, more or less. Granted our stuff is strewn about the upstairs of the cabin, but we're making due.

I've got a working car, home cooked meals every night and the accompanying elliptical necessitated by said meals. Sadly, no "grown up" job yet. But I had an interview at Sony not too long ago and I've got a second one in about 2 weeks, keep your fingers crossed for me.

In the meantime I'm temping at my dad's office and continuing to send out resumes. I'm hoping to start volunteering at a local animal shelter as well and I'm looking into taking a dance class. I'm also looking into working part time or interning at a local radio station to pad my resume while I keep looking for work in NYC.

In other(good) news my best friend may in fact be coming with me to Brooklyn. We're both applying for work, her in restaurant PR and me in music and crossing our fingers. We're also having visions of a cute prewar apartment hopefully with a yard and a whole bunch of second hand furniture as well as my two kitties plus her dog and kitty. My what a family!

I am also beginning to think abotu having a new dog in my life. Losing my little bear was really really difficult and I'm far from over it but I'm also feeilng very lonely and purposeless without a dog in my life. As it turns out a friend of my mom's has a little dog that she needs to find a new home for named Coco. I'm thinking about fostering him for awhile, maybe he's not for me, but either way it would be nice to help.

Anyways, I'm also doing this thing, I believe it's called dating. Since B and I broke up I haven't really dated anyone seriously. I dated my ex boss, kind of, but it was never anything serious. The closest I got to something real was dating a friend of mine who as it turned out was not much of a friend afterall. So now I am cautiously dipping a toe in the dating pool. That is to say, I am not dating anyone. But I'm open to it, I'm just not seeking it out so much. That said the thought of dated outfits does get me all a twitter...

Nerd by acelovesvintage featuring TopShop bags

Bustier Jumper
$325 - loefflerrandall.com
More rompers »

Chelsea Crew Perforated Oxford
$58 - urbanoutfitters.com
More oxfords »

Small Pushlock Satchel Bag
$90 - topshop.com
More TopShop tote bags »

Alkemie + Cupid's Arrow Bangle
$140 - econsciousmarket.com
More bracelets »

Barrie round-frame acetate glasses
$360 - net-a-porter.com
More Oliver Peoples sunglasses »

Belfry Smith - Panama Straw Fedora: Hatsinthebelfry.com
$88 - hatsinthebelfry.com
More hats »