It’s been a while since I’ve updated, but I never forget.  I’m leaving town in a few days so I wanted to catch up and post a few photos that were taken quite a while ago now (while there was still a lot of snow in Pittsburgh!), just so they don’t go to waste.  I’m sure no one minds.

Wolf tee, Amazon; faux fur coat, ASOS; purple jeans & hoodie, F21; Naughty Monkey D-Ring boots

I’ve been going to the dentist a lot lately, and now have taken care of almost everything, including a root canal and a cap on one of my front teeth (not my fault; apparently the nerve got injured somehow?  Maybe someone punched me in the face years ago and I just don’t remember.  Jerk).  So I essentially have a fake tooth now that looks just like my old one, after wearing a temporary fake for 3.5 weeks that fell out right before the appointment, and almost went down the drain.  I wish I was kidding; it’s like my worst nightmares realized.  But I rescued it and popped it back on just in time to catch the bus, and now I have a new one, and no one (including me) can tell.  I’m a real trooper.  All that’s left now is getting all four of my wisdom teeth out in a month or two, which I am dreading.  So the lesson is: don’t be a victim of evolution, and don’t get punched in the face.  Especially by phantoms.

You’re probably not wondering where I’m going, but I’m going to tell you anyway.  On Thursday (today!) Matt and I will be joining my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend on the lovely island of Kauai (jealous?) for a one-week stay.  I’m rather excited as I’ve never been to Hawaii (though my parents have been several times), and Kauai was definitely the island I most wanted to visit.  Also, due to poor planning on my part, I’m arriving back in Pittsburgh on May 6, then turning around the next day and flying back west again to Idaho for 10 days to visit a good friend of mine who’s moving to Australia.  I am not going to be a happy traveler, but both trips should be a blast (hopefully the latter will allow me more relaxation than the former).  I’ll try to update if I can while I’m gone, but at the very least I will take some photos!

I also want to thank all of those who have read my blog, left comments, given me @mentions on Twitter, and asked me questions on Formspring, despite what has essentially been a total lack of updates lately.  I also want to thank Amanda for featuring me in the 12th edition of Hello, Blogosphere! recently – what a sweetheart.

Leather patch sweater, H&M; faux leather leggings, F21; cross necklace, Anatego; coat & scarf, Victoria’s Secret; leather backpack, Skechers platform boots

I hope you’re all having a smashing spring.  Talk to you soon.

Arcade Fire – No Cars Go

This song reminds me of something.  Maybe myself, or some version of myself I’ve been trying to grasp hold of for years (a lot of songs make me feel that way).  This version likes to sit on the curb in old Chuck Taylors with a dented bottled water and a cigarette, and listen to the gutter cascades.  Just sit and listen to the heavy trickle of rainwater and distant traffic, and hope to make eye contact with a stranger.  But it’s usually pretty quiet.

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  Maybe this is why I wear such loud clothing.  In my physical form, I’m not a talker.  It comes out here, where fewer people hear it, where words are more poignant and necessary, and it’s harder to judge someone for anything else.  My words are my swords and I yield them as such – I place them here where they are protected from erasure or dismissal, where I am on the offensive, more confident.  Offline, I am seen more than heard, and only then when I garner attention in obvious ways.

These boots are wizardry.  No pains, no aches, no blisters after hours and miles.  And of course, people love the illusion.  I wonder if wearing them also makes me, in my entirety, more of an illusion.  Perhaps I’m going about this all wrong, and the clothing I wear is too strange, too repellent.  I want to look fierce because it makes me less vulnerable to anything threatening, around or within me.  But maybe it’s too much to amass more than a few odd glances from those whose attention I desire – the people who appreciate what I put forth without being afraid of what’s underneath.

On the other hand, maybe I’m not being strange enough.  Perhaps the only way for people to truly appreciate me in my silent state is to see me as more than eccentric – to see me as pure illusion in boots with the entire wedge mirror-plated on all sides.  To see me walking on air.  That’d be something.  Silence, strength, levitation – check.

I always imagine I’ll meet my best friends in unlikely or desperate situations – lost on a bus in the middle of the night, crying under a bridge, wandering aimlessly through parks and alleys and other familiar places I simply don’t recognize.  For now I guess I’ll stick to the curb in my grungy – or bizarre – attire, and wait for a sign.

♥ Oversize drop-shoulder tunic – YesStyle
♥ Leggings, tank top (underneath), & belt – Forever 21
♥ Boat-shaped & star spiral rings – 80s Purple & vintage
♥ Mirrored lightning bolt earrings – Girl Props
♥ Jeffrey Campbell ‘X Ray’ mirror boots (hats off to Akiko Ogawa)

Band of Skulls – Death by Diamonds and Pearls

It’s happened.  I don’t know how it happened, really.  Just listen:

Last summer my mom let me raid her closet for stuff she doesn’t wear anymore, and (knowing that maxi dresses were on trend, again, for autumn) I pulled out this gorgeous, dark, sleeveless, midnight blue-black number that (because I’m so short, and slightly more slender than this vintage “medium”) fit me with a column-esque, toe-length drape.  Exactly what I’d want in a maxi dress, but honestly?  I figured I’d never wear it.  I hadn’t worn a maxi skirt since I was fourteen, and never a maxi dress.  I’m a short skirt kind of girl – almost always have been.  But then I wore it out one day to the Farmer’s Market with a chunky pair of boots and a black hoodie, and since then I’ve been absolutely obsessed.

I can’t even explain this feeling.  It’s all I want to wear.  I immediately shopped the web for the perfect long, straight, black maxi skirt to cover the rest of my wardrobe (you’ll see this soon), and I’m so fucking thrilled with this discovery that I’m pretty sure I could go without wearing anything else.  I won’t torture you like that, but I’m serious.  Where has the maxi skirt/dress been all my life???  It’s edgy, it’s feminine, it’s powerful, it’s simple.  It dresses up or down like magic.  Like witchcraft.  In this getup, I am fearless.

And I guess I kind of need that sometimes.  It’s a welcome change from worrying whether your skirt’s riding up too far or your gut’s protruding from your tight tank dress.  There’s a lot to be said for sartorial confidence – and although I’m mostly confident in all of my bizarre clothes, it’s what’s underneath the fabric that toys with my eggshell-thin ego.  Enter maxi dress – problem solved.

Speaking of feeling less than perfect – I’ve felt horrendous the past few days (luckily for both of us, none of this shows in these photos, which are a couple weeks old, truthfully).  My usually clear skin has developed an atrocious and stubborn pimple; I seem to have bitten my cheek/gums in my sleep (near my wisdom tooth), and the entire left side of my mouth is painfully swollen (I can barely open it, though this is slowly subsiding); and to top it all off, my acid reflux (a.k.a. the worst kind of heartburn known to man) has returned and is prevailing due to, I’m assuming, stress, regardless of how many Zantac I swallow.  So much for having fun this weekend (I didn’t).

I had lots of fun in this outfit, though.  You’ll never believe where I wore it.  Geocaching.  I know, I’m just that awesome.  Matt and I ventured just down the street to Baum Grove (you’ll remember this little park from this post) to treasure hunt for a strategically-placed Altoids tin full of tiny secrets.  Not the best thing to do in these massive stompers, maybe, but wildly entertaining.  Unfortunately, it was getting dark rather quickly and we had to leave before we could find it, but we’ve vowed to return.  We should probably do that before the ground is frozen – I have a feeling it might be buried :)

You might not remember these spike earrings, but they first showed up here.

Anyway.  I felt so 90s wearing this outfit - so good.  The sort of goth-inspired darkness, the velvet maxi dress, the platform boots.  I love how ridiculously simple it is without the jacket – which adds that extra edge.

I promised I’d take better photos of this jacket, first and last seen in my Spider Lady Halloween costume (along with the boots).  I got it from YesStyle, and I’ll let you in on a little secret – I got it from the men’s section.  This is my holy grail for affordable, edgy clothing (more so than the women’s section – which, while still rife with goodness, seems to lack the simple edginess of much of the men’s clothing).  Unfortunately, if you wear larger sizes, you might be out of luck – they tend to design their clothes for really skinny guys, which makes the chest sizes more wearable for the small-ish female (just make sure you check the measurements).

The only thing I might not like about the jacket is that it’s not warm.  Room enough for layering a sweater or hoodie, though, which I’ve yet to try.  That’s another thing I love about the long skirt/dress – add a pair of leggings or tights and I’m warm enough to tackle anything – which is good, because Pittsburgh has officially transitioned into winter.  Or what it calls winter.  Temperatures as low as the 20s (F) so far, which – thanks to my western Canada upbringing – is nothing I can’t handle.  Bring it on.

By the way, just to address my title/silly evocation of pop culture – does anyone else get angry about how witchcraft is portrayed in movies and on television?  I’m okay with poking gentle fun (like so many prime time animated series do relatively well – at times I admittedly giggle).  And fair enough if you’re portraying a witch akin to the kind of make-believe ‘witch’ kids dress up as for Halloween; the kind who wiggles her nose and makes things appear, or rides a broomstick.  Because she’s little more than a character.  It’s only the inaccurate portrayal of Wicca that bothers me (and I’m not Wiccan, either).  I recently re-watched The Craft, and though it started off interesting and made an attempt at being informative, I thought it was terrible on multiple levels (honestly, I thought it just cheapened the image of witches and perpetuated ignorant stereotypes).  C’est la vie.  I hope I’m not doing that with this outfit post – ha ha!  Well, just in case.

Maybe now’s a good time to share this video I’ve had for a while, which I actually quite like, despite the fact that it (like me) doesn’t really resemble any sort of actual witchcraft:

Speaking of which, I just purchased my first piece of Wildfox clothing yesterday, specifically to wear with my new maxi skirt.  On the whole I think Wildfox is quite overpriced for what it is, but thanks to an irresistible sale recently I’ve finally jumped on the bandwagon.

By the way, Matt thinks this looks like a ‘mom dress’.  Thoughts?  Technically it is, but I don’t care.  It’s badass.

♥ Velvet maxi dress – Vintage, my mom’s closet
♥ Deepstyle asymmetric zip jacket – YesStyle
♥ Wooden cross necklace – Anatego
♥ Metal spike earrings – ASOS
♥ Mood ring – Hemp Fest
♥ Long sleeve top – Forever 21
♥ Tights (not shown) – Alloy
♥ Steve Madden A-Yoko boots

Complicated Man – Hawksley Workman

Dead.  (Don’t look so surprised.)

Halloween, Take 2: my Sunday best, and silly interpretation of a lumberjack.  I wore this the day of (which turned out to be a lot more fun than the night before, even though the plan was more mundane).  We wandered around the neighborhood just as the kids were starting to come out, and made our way to the grocery store for some candy.  By the time we finished it was dark, and we got to see plenty of spooky lights and creatures.  In addition to some crappy candy corn and gummy clown fish (so good), we ended up coming home with a rotisserie chicken, which turned into a large pot of soup last night.  Needless to say, the night was successful.

I admit this costume was an excuse for me to wear head-to-toe red tartan.  The silly thing is I’ve had all this stuff for years.  Can you imagine?  Of course, I just had to try it all out at once – it was inevitable.

Notice I’m still wearing nail polish from Saturday’s costume.  Not very manly.

I’m terribly in love with the thumb-holes on this shirt.

I’ve had these for so many years, and even though I rarely wear them now, I just can’t get rid of them.  They graced my feet many a time during my wannabe punk and punk Lolita attempts in college, and were dubbed by the students in my favorite writing workshop ever my ‘KISS Boots’.  Hard to top that.

♥ Plaid jacket & thermal tee – Delia*s
♥ Plaid cigarette pants & Demonia boots – eBay

You can see my other Halloween costume (Spider Lady!) here.
Also, you can find last year’s costume (Michael Jackson!) here.

Teen Lovers (The Virgins: The Shoes Remix) – Sky Ferreira

Halloween 2010: Take 1.

One of my favorite new(ish) jackets – I promise to photograph this more later.

You can see how quickly the sun was setting.  Sorry about that.

I’m actually wearing three necklaces/chains to achieve this look – the first is one I’ve wanted to showcase for a while – my cobweb necklace from ASOS.  I loved this online for months before I caved and bought it, but I am so glad I did.  But, much to my disappointment, it did not drape properly when I put it on – it simply drooped down the middle of my chest and completely lost its awesome spider-web effect.  I ended up removing the original fabric necklace straps and replacing them with some chain and a lobster clasp – then attaching another chain at the sides to pull the cobweb open from the back, which turned it into more of a harness than a necklace.  Regardless, the result had me in fits of happiness – and now I can wear it in all its awesome, cobwebby glory.  I added another necklace (which also drapes horribly down the front, so I never wear it) to my arm and shoulder – a result that quite pleased me – and then my shoulder chain harness (which I’ve successfully altered for long-sleeved tops, though it still gets pretty slippery on the mesh) – and tada!  Total cobweb awesomeness.

And of course, my pet spider.

The debut of my Steve Madden A-Yoko boots, which Matt gave me for my birthday.

My original inspiration for this costume was actually some sort of sexy version of death – but Matt told me it made him think more of some kind of sexy spider lady instead.  And I think he was right – all the mesh only makes it look more silky and web-like.  And I kind of like that.

♥ Cobweb necklace – ASOS
♥ Shoulder chain harness – Snefter
♥ Chain necklace (on shoulder) – Forever 21
♥ Deepstyle asymmetric zip jacket – YesStyle
♥ Black mesh dress – American Apparel
♥ Nude slip dress – Flexees
♥ Black mesh leggings – Twelve x Twelve
♥ Spider ring – Gem Avenue
♥ Rose ring – Threadsence
♥ Steve Madden A-Yoko ankle boots

Costume #2 (Lumberjack!).  It’s not glamorous, but it’s uber-fun.  Hope you all had a great Halloween.

You can also see last year’s Halloween costume (Michael Jackson!) here.

Surprise!

Mariella – Kate Nash

So, naturally, this is a very strange look for me these days (the Kate Nash song above – which is great, by the way – totally seems to fit my usually odd sartorial behavior).  But I’ve always loved frills (and the color white), so believe it or not – with the exception of the boots – I owned all of this (along with a surprising number of other ‘pretty’ things, I might add!) before I decided to get down and dirty with my girly side again.  I swear!

Anyway.  I wore this during a brief adventure to Pittsburgh’s Southside, lunch at the Cheesecake factory (I got a delicious Caesar salad with a side of salmon – yum), and to Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 to try on massive headphones and an armload of leather pants, leather jackets, leather everything (I know, I love the ridiculous contrast.  I make no sense).  It was a blast.  We ended up bringing an entire cheesecake home (Lemon Raspberry – it’s the best).

I’m always on the lookout for the perfect white summer dress, and this one fit the bill – although next year I might go for something more whispy and, er, slightly longer.  I can’t resist eyelet though, so I loved this.

Vintage rings.

These Victorian wonders were the result of my quest for the perfect white fall/winter boot to wear with more feminine ensembles (90% of my footwear is black, which for me just doesn’t work when the bizarre urge for white ruffles and pastels strikes).  I also needed something I’d be able to walk long distances in.  I wasn’t planning on going Victorian until I caught sight a few vintage options – but those of you in love will be happy to know that these are not vintage.  And they’re affordable – not to mention come in additional colors and an ankle version.  Normally I would avoid Pleaser like the plague (there are reasons they market their shoes as costume footwear), but I was honestly surprised by these.  I love them.

Bonus (unless you fear getting wet feet): the lace is sheer, so colored tights will show through.  Marvelous!

I actually wore my light blue denim jacket most of the day to soften the look, which made me appear less freakishly feminine.   I doubt I’ll be going quite all-out like this very often, but it was fun.  Matt said I looked like a figure skater, which gives me ideas for my Halloween costume next year.  As for this year’s costume – just you wait.

♥ Eyelet dress & denim jacket (not shown) – Forever 21

♥ White mesh dress (worn underneath) – American Apparel

♥ Ivory opaque tights – We Love Colors

♥ Vintage faux pearl cluster & outer space rings

♥ Pleaser Victorian lace ‘Dame’ boots

Maxence Cyrin – Where Is My Mind? (The Pixies Piano Cover)

I love this dress/tunic/sweater!  I bought it last spring and do NOT regret it.

New(ish) boots!  I’ve been waiting for the weather to cool down enough so I could wear these.  They’re so soft (not suede – almost velvety), and I love how incredibly slouchy they are – to the point that it’s a little bit ugly, which only makes me love them more (kinda like Shar Peis for my feet).  They’re so slouchy because of their curved shaft (hence the name ‘Comma’), which arcs all the way past the toes like a rainbow when I take them off – it’s really kind of genius, so I’m wondering if JC knocked off someone else’s design, as per usual (anyone?).

Matt insisted I pose like this, because I look like a superhero, or a ninja.  Or something.

♥ Star-print sweater tunic – Missguided
♥ Purple opaque tights – Alloy
♥ Star spiral ring – Vintage
♥ Rose ring – ThreadSence
♥ Jeffrey Campbell ‘Comma’ boots

Bye for now.

Silver Swans – Secrets

Wearing the quintessential Forever 21 outfit, complete with military jacket (last seen here, in my MJ ensemble – god, I’m excited for Halloween again!  Not certain about my costume yet).  I felt strange wearing the jacket with open-toed shoes instead of boots, but decided I liked it.  The tights I’ve had forever; I just don’t wear blue very often.

I didn’t know it when I bought these shoes, but later discovered they’re a total ripoff of the Vera Wang Lavender Label Rosalyn wedge – with studs added.  Go Forever 21.  See?  I’m trying, just like I said I would.  It’s important that we recognize where our knockoffs come from.

Anyway, I love them.  I don’t normally buy shoes from Forever 21 – the only other pairs I’ve bought have been sneakers – but these were too cute to resist, and they look quite nice in person.  They’re super comfy and don’t give me blisters – but they hurt my soles if I stand or walk in them for too long, so I think I may add some kind of inserts.

This cute cat was nearby when we were shooting, and I got mad because his picture looked better than all of mine.

Case in point: this cross has rhinestones, but you can’t even tell with the bad lighting.  Perhaps I should have followed the cat across the street.  One of my staple pieces of jewelry, by the way.

And so ends my mini military saga.

♥ Jacket, tee, skirt, & shoes – Forever 21
♥ Blue opaque tights – Alloy
♥ Cross necklace & 2-finger ring – Forever 21
♥ Boat-shaped ring – 80s Purple
♥ Sliced hardware leather cuff – ThreadSence

Taken outside the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Squirrel Hill while waiting for the bus.  Matt and I had just finished eating some delicious Cold Stone Creamery sorbet (as always, Cold Stone is the best) after dropping off a pair of my new boots (!) at the cobbler to get re-soled.  I do this with almost all my new shoes to make them last longer (not to mention replace all my heel tips when they get worn out), and I’m in there so often (sometimes with several pairs at once) that I’m afraid the guy running it thinks I’m some sort of crazy shoe lady.  He’s probably right.

One is the Loneliest Number – Three Dog Night

I love this shirt so much.  I’ve actually had it for almost a year now, but utterly failed to document it.  It has an extreme drop shoulder (so the torso area is basically an oversize square), it’s made entirely out of bamboo (I know, right?), and is the softest, most comfortable top I own.  I loved it so much when I got it that I purchased another black and two white.  It’s one of very few items in my closet that I own doubles (quadruples?) of, and I’m so glad I do.  It’s definitely a wardrobe staple (and it makes me feel so delightfully witchy).  I even wear it to bed.  Also, I put it in the dryer, because it doesn’t shrink.  Have I mentioned how much I love this shirt??  The best part is, they keep restocking it…in five colors.

To add to the witchy factor :)

Close-up of the back of my jacket (which I’ve had for several years).  I love this thing; it has such great detail (fabric panels on the sleeves and sides, zippers from elbow to wrist, and of course the laces (which I’ve broken more than once).  Don’t worry, there’s more leather underneath that back split.  It’s actually pretty warm.

These mesh leggings are Twelve by Twelve from Forever 21, and they’re a new favorite of mine.  They have a seam above the knee that divides two different kinds of mesh – the weave is finer and tighter at the top, while on the bottom it’s thicker and looser, almost like a really fine fishnet.  The mesh is super strong and resilient; it’s also very springy, which is something I wasn’t expecting – I’ve worn these three days already without washing and they haven’t begun to sag or lose their shape, which is more than I can say for my other leggings and tights.  They look just as good as the moment I took them out of the box.

Close-up of the boots.  I’ve had these for a year as well, actually.  Best.  Purchase.  Ever. The heel is low so they’re super comfy (they’re my walking boots), they make my legs look hot, and they go with basically anything.  They also get tons of compliments.  These also come in various colors.  The only thing I don’t like about them is that they’re suede, which I have a tendency to ruin, since I’ll wear them in the rain and snow – but of course that’s my fault.  Also, I wish the buckles were more silvery (they’re a little more brass).  But all in all, I love them.  I sized down a half-size, and they fit perfectly.

Sorry for all that – it’s just that I really, really love all these items, I realize.  I didn’t even get to my leather backpack – amazing (I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to my purse – I’m really serious)!

♥ Lace-up leather jacket – Victoria’s Secret
♥ Bamboo drop-shoulder top – Nasty Gal
♥ Mesh leggings & bike shorts – Forever 21
♥ Spider ring – Gem Avenue
♥ Leather backpack – Overstock
♥ Naughty Monkey D-Ring boots

Have I mentioned how completely happy I am that it’s fall?  I don’t even care how dreary it is!

The National – Fake Empire

The National – Secret Meeting

The National – Start a War

I LOVE layering bike shorts underneath short denims or leathers lately.  It gives a little more length (let’s face it – it’s difficult to find stylish shorts that aren’t cut like hot pants) – and in this case, adds a high waist where I wouldn’t otherwise have one.

The National – Mr. November

All in all, it was a great night and a great concert.  Even though I had a stomach ache, and Matt had to get me medication.   Even though the temperature dropped like crazy from the mid-seventies and I had to stop at Target to pick up a long-sleeved tee to wear on the rest of the walk over (and during the actual concert, since I figured stripping down to a skimpy tube top before throwing the vest back on might be deemed somewhat inappropriate in a large crowd).  Even though I fell asleep on the bus ride home, and spent most of Sunday sleeping.  Because it was The National, and it was so, so, SO worth it.

The National – England

♥ Leather fringe vest & black spike earrings – ASOS
♥ Black tube top & bike shorts – Pink Ice
♥ Leather short shorts – Forever 21
♥ Black wooden cross necklace – Anatego
♥ Stud wrap bracelet & rose ring – Threadsence
♥ Studded wallet/clutch – Rue 21
♥ Wanted ‘Prague’ lace-up boots