What's New In the Closet

I've spent the past five days laying low after surgery, with little of fashion to note. I took the time however to photograph some of my new purchases that never got recorded since the beginning of the year. In truth this post could be titled" what I bought at Target" because that's where the lion's share came from. Its funny, I have gone years at a time without buying anything from Target, then suddenly I'll be back on a kick again. In their favor their sale section is great, and its the place to hit if you're short on cash and still want to shop. They also have fun designer lines, and if you read any fashion blogs at all you know that this spring Prabal Gurung for Target was the hottest thing out there. I confess I broke down and paid full price for some things, a rule I rarely relax. On the down side I find Target frustrating because their sizing is so odd, there is little or no continuity in sizing between their different lines and its always a big guessing game when I take things into the dressing room if they are the right size. Quality is also a big issue, a lot of  times their clothes are so cheap because, well they are cheap. Now I realize that the quality at a mass market store like Target is going to be much lower than even a department store, however I've had several pieces literally fall apart on me. So far no major complaints, but I suspect after my orgy at Target I'll probably cool it for a while.

Target

North Attleborough, MA

1.) Mossimo Rose patterned jeans: $11

2.) Mossimo Chartreuse paisley jeans: $13

3.) Oxblood suede belt: $3

4.) Hot Pink and Silver Suede Pumps: $12

5.) Leopard Pint Round Toed Pumps: $8

6.) Mossimo Blue Wool Coat: $17

7.) Mossimo Coral Wool Coat: $17

8.) Purple Sequined Clutch: $6

9.) Prabal Gurung skirt: $30

10.) Prabal Gurung patterned pumps: $40

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Total: $157

Krazy Daisy

Slatersville, RI

11.) Avanti embroidered suede coat: $0*

*bought with money made from consignment rather than cash

Better Than New Consignment

Pawtucket, RI

I actually stopped into this consignment shop, which has only been open a few months because it popped up as a recommendation as something I would like on Facebook. I had checked out their website, which lays out some really strict consignment rules, so strict that it turned me off a little. However I figured if they were really stringent about what they consigned this might mean they had more upscale stuff. Its right on 1A in Pawtucket directly before the crossover with Armistice Blvd. The building isn't much to write home about, in fact its a bit dump and dated. They definitely need to work on the atmosphere. Their consignment section was just awful, small, must, and dated. Their vintage section however really saved them. High quality and reasonable priced they had a great, varied selection of both men's and women's vintage. I braved the less than glamorous dressing room and had a bit of a vintage party, coming out with some really nice pieces. The gown was over the top but it fit too good to pass up, now I just need an occasion to wear it. I think this store is still in its really fledgling stages, but with a little cosmetic work and focus (they have way too much going on right now) it could be really nice.

12.) Vintage navy blue, yellow, and green sundress: $20

13.) Vintage pink housedress: $20

14.) Vintage plaid dress: $8

15.) Vintage coral gown: $75

16.) Vintage gingham skirt with cross-stitch embroidery: $10

17.) Personal vintage blouse with dolman sleeves: $15

Total: $148

Just a cautionary tale as to why checking what you buy is helpful, I was actually over charged $22 at this store because the girl rang up one of the dresses twice, usually I'm pretty good at seeing those things but I didn't actually catch it until I sat down to do this more than a month later. It was my first time in the store and I was unfamiliar with their procedures so I was more focused on getting my bearings than on what I was doing, next time I'll know better.

DSW

North Attleborough, MA

18.) Nine West metallic pumps: $29

19.) Two Lips faux snakeskin boots: $20

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Total: $49

J.C. Penny

North Attleborough, MA

20.) Allen B floral trousers: $14

21.) B Smart black embelised dress: $8

22.) Liz Claiborne geometric print blouse: $4

__________________________________________

Total: $26

- $10 coupon

= $16

Urban Outfitters

Boston, MA

23.) Pins and Needles Cream Silk Dress: $39

24.) Cooperative cat flats: $20

________________________________

Total: $59

Target: $157

Better Than New Consignment: $148

J.C. Penny: $16

DSW: $49

Urban Outfitters: $59

________________________________

Year to Date Total: $429

The Muse: Growing Strong

 I have to open by saying I really hate this outfit. Sometimes you just fail and thais was a fail. These jeans have plagued me since I bought them. They are not flattering at all no matter how I try to style them, I wore this sweater to try and tie inmy theme but it was really too short and thus I have an appauling gut. The scarf is hiding greasy hair and made me sort of look like a demented gypsy. Over all I was a mess. I was also  ytrying to keep my camera dry as it startedto rain which is why there are so many awkward photos of me sitting on that random mossy rock. Of course the irony is that people kept coming up to me all day and saying how much they like my outfit. I guess self perception is a funny thing.

 Sweater: Moda International via Victoria's Secret
Jeans: Mossimo via Target
Scarf: vintage, via Grace Episcopal Church jumble sale
Shoes: Leifsdottir via Anthropologie

As for the Tyrells today's family, they have been scattered here and there throughout the first two seasons, mainly through Loras, the knight of the flowers who was Renley Baratheon's lover. They start to be major players this season, and Diana Rigg, great sixties fashion icon herself as Dr. Emma Peel on The Avengers, is one of the most anticipated casting choices as she takes on the role of the Queen of Thorns. They have a great sigil (Highgarten their castle is the breadbasket of the Seven Kingdoms) and good colors, sadly I did not feel I did it justice. Oh well, they're fictitious I suspect they forgive me.

 Also, as you may have noticed it is rare for me to wear jeans twice in one week, however it is for a very good cause. We dressed down to raise money for Laflora research. Recently Mallorie Lindo, one of our juniors passed away at age 17 from this rare form of epilepsy. Its onset usually develops in early adolescence and it is 100%  fatal, usually within ten years. Chelsea's Hope is a foundation that is seeking to raise awareness and improve the lives of those impacted by this terrible disease.

The Muse: Family, Duty, Honor

 This week turned out to be far more eventful than one would normally expect for a four-day week. The biggest event was the arrival of our new Gilder Lehrman exhibit, which if you aren't familiar (and believe me, nobody except history teachers would be)with is a company that produces traveling exhibits on United States history. It involved much moving of furniture and rearranging to fit the display, and given that all of our strapping teenage boys are too lazy to help (one kid actually claimed he had been bitten by a rabid raccoon to et out of helping me move a bookcase) I did most of the work myself. Thus a dress down day in the library. Luckily I had this blouse which tied in nicely with my Tully family theme day. I'm pretty sure its of Indian manufacture, but the cut and pattern have a certain old world quality that think really works for the whole Game of Thrones thing. The birds in the pattern even look a bit like dragons. The necklace also helped me tie in the whole fish thing from the Tully sigil, and to be honest that was one of the first things I thought when I found the necklace at the yard sale. I had seen a vintage necklace in an exhibit that I thought was perfect (see below), and this necklace was the closest thing I found. The Tullys are sort of a second rate family in the books, and other than vague mentions they haven't really come into major focus except through their daughters who married into other great houses (Stark and Arryn). The colors and the sigil however I could handle. Also I had no concrete plan when I did this sort of half-assed braid this morning, but my boss was really impressed by it (why I'm not sure) and asked if I had to get up really early to complete it, I didn't have the heart to tell her it only takes me 15 minutes to get ready and that I braided my hair while I was peeing. But we can be honest right? There are no secrets in the world of fashion reality.

 Blouse: Anokhi thrifted via Goodwill
Necklace: vintage, via yard sale
Jeans: Mossimo via Target
Shoes: Not Rated via Francesca's Collection
Purse:  Bueno, gift

Below is a photograph of the original "Tully" necklace, Fratti for Cadette, gilt stamped brass, 1969

The Muse: Winter is Coming

Without letting too much nerd seep out and soil my blog, I included the brief summary of who my muse is for the day. These histories of the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms are a big part of both the books and television series. Your house (or family) speaks volumes about who you are. You wear the house colors, you carry the sigil into battle. Often too they reflect where in the world you live and how you live or something significant about your family history. This is the history of the Stark family and a listing of the immediate family members, it is from my own personal copy of A Game of Thrones, and while I think sharing it is kosher, I may be greatly infringing on some obscure copyright law, if so, mea culpa.

 Fitting for me to start my little tribute to the great houses of Westeros with the Starks, though everyone is a protagonist in George R.R.Martin's books, with the narrators jumping around, the Stark family certainly lies at the heart of the books and they are the family most focused on and the underdogs the reader likes to cheer for. Fashion-wise they aren't exactly glamorous, pragmatic is the word that comes to mind. Simple warm clothing to keep out northern cold with a few simple baubles to remind everyone that they are in fact noblemen. Also fur, lots and lots of fur. Its not everyday I get to drag out my fur pocketbook, but this is one occasion that absolutely calls for it. I've included a photo below to show you how HBO has visualized the practical, yet surprisingly good-looking Starks on Game of Thrones.As for winter coming, well its already here, even though every one is ready for it to leave already. About 15 minutes after these photos were taken it started to sleet/snow, which is why the sky is ominous and gray.

Dress: Banana Republic
Brooch: vintage, via Pastimes Consignments
Belt: thrifted via Goodwill (I had taken it off in the car because it kept getting stuck on the seat belt, then forgot to put it back on, so there's only one photo of it)
Bracelets: my mother's
Hair Clip: Damacene from Toledo, Spain
Jacket: vintage rabbit fur, no label, thrifted via The Bargain Box
Shoes: Sole Society

Game On!

In case you're not  a nerd like me/ have a life, you may not be aware that the third season of Game of Thrones premieres on next Sunday aka Easter (forget Peeps and glazed ham, GoT fans are arming themselves for the invasion of the white walkers). Now if you don't currently have HBO this leaves you at a disadvantage, if you do have HBO and are not currently caught up with the previous two seasons not might be a good time to start watching on demand. I jest of course, this kind of high fantasy epic is certainly not for everyone. Like my boss who had to quit watching Harry Potter after the third movie because they were too scary, no way she could handle Game of Thrones. Also if fantasy in general turns you off this isn't light stuff, you have to dive in with both feet. There are a ton of characters and so many plot lines that it will give you a headache if you let it. I watched the first season before diving into the books which inspired the series ( George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice) and must have had to watch the pilot episode five time before I stopped scratching my head and saying, "What the hell is going on here?" That being said, it sucks you in. I think mostly its the writing, George R.R. Martin has a certain irreverence to him that I like. He has no sentimentality, kills with wild abandon, and pulls no punches. He writes his books like they would really happen in such a world, no cotton candy or butterflies required. Its refreshing in a book and the creators of the show have certainly tried to be as faithful as a series can possibly be given time and monetary restraints. That being said I'm no super fan, no memorabilia adorns my walls (banners, swords, etc.) unlike my good friend Matt I do not have a Game of Thrones tattoo (though to be fair he has a Harry Potter one too, he is an indiscriminate nerd). This week however I'm getting my geek on and dressing for Game of Thrones, or more specifically the great houses of Westeros. Really, I'm sure no one will notice I'm mirroring a fantasy kingdom and their social mores, it will be our little secret.