Why I'm Gone

So yeah.  I've been gone daddy, gone from this blog for MONTHS.  And the reason is... long-winded.  Bottom-line, I do not have the time to support this blog, my professional blog, and my hobby-blog.  So I thought I'd go out with a bang!  And what's more bangin' than awesome costumes?  NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT.  Here are the costumes I wore this spring to Costume Con in Arizona:

The Steampunk Saloon Girl I've worn before.  Notice the teeny-tiny gun?

My latest Green Bay Packer costume.  I call it Packer Punk.  It's a mash-up of Steampunk, Nerfpunk, and the AWESOMENESS of Green Bay.

My Cindy Lou Who costume for the Masquarade...

My buddies dressed as the 11 Dr. Whos.  I was the 12th Dr.... Cindy Lou.  We got the biggest laugh of the Con, and Judge's Choice :)

I turned my Day Of Wrong courtesan costume to a Wrong 18th Century French.  As one does...

I turned a gifted bodice (thank you Suzette!!!) into a sort-of Titannic gown.  Close enough!  And me bestie, Laura, did my hair.

Thank you to everyone who has read this blog.  Please come over and friend me on FB at Erin Elizabeth!  I want to stay in touch with you guys :)

Warts And All

Okay, I don't actually have warts.  But I do have a big, adolescent-esque zit on my nose.  And yet?  Here's what I wore on the warmest day of the week:

Notice the shoes.  Those shoes are a boy-repellent.  I actually had a date ask me if I was wearing slippers.  Um no:

Those are definitely shoes.  Worn with the only pair of short pants/capris/cropped pants that fit me right now.  As - another wart - I've gained 9 pounds, and they do not want to leave my ass.  Sigh.  You know what I say to that zit and flab?

What.  Ever.  I gotta be me!

Warty:
Lace top, thrifted Target
Brown cropped cardigan, random teeny-bopper store
Brown tank, NY & Co. from a thousand years ago
Cropped pants, um.  I don't remember!!!
Fuzzy leopard print shoes, Target.

And look!  I even took a close-up picture:

But not of my zit.  THAT is scary.

A Large Untruth

This outfit is a lie, the sun is a lie and my happy face in this photo is the biggest lie of all...

Don't I look all cheerful and healthy and put together?  And doesn't that lovely sunlight make you think it's warm and lovely where I live?  LIES.  Because this is how I've really felt this week: 

This is how I really feel.  I have a massive head cold AGAIN, and I have NO TIME TO BE SICK.  I have work to work on, costumes to sew on, and chores to chore on.  At least I look okay, right?  And I looked nice for the full 4 hours I wore this, before stripping down to my jammies and hopping back in bed.

Outfit of Untruths:

Navy blue cardigan and tank top, Ann Taylor via a gift from my StepMom

White jeans, Tommy Bahama

Tan shoes, Stuart Weisman (sp?) via Optiz Outlet.

Silver cuff, one of those pop-up accessory shopping events

And just for you?  A "stuff shot", ala Sheila :)









Still Truckin'

On Tuesday, I wore a skirt, a closet orphan (to quote a Sally McGraw term), and a different pair of boots than what I wore on Monday.  What I didn't do?  Take a dang picture.  However, I wore that gear on TV.  Roll video!

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Coupons.com-Most-Frugal-Cities-feb-28-2012

And no, that was not a shameless plug to get you to watch my Cheap Chick segments... ;)

What I Wore On TV:
Red cowl-neck sweater, Express
Black ribbed cardigan, The Gap (on clearance)
Corset belt (aka, the closet orphan), Target
Charcoal grey pin-striped skirt, Issac Mizrahi for Target (god I miss his stuff)
Black sheer tights, Marshalls
Black boots, Circa Joan & David from Macy's (?).  That's their last wearing until I take them to George's Shoes for cobbling.

Yesterday, on Wednesday, I wore my third pair of boots, but no skirt.  We had a Snow My God day, and I needed to dress weather-appropriate.

Yesterday's closet orphan is that cream sweater/coat.  It's soooooooo warm, often TOO warm.  However, it was perfect for sitting in the freezing studio at my other job (yes, all my jobs involve studios, it's true).

The scarf, boots and jeggings are far from being orphans.  In fact, I wear them a wee bit too much, if you ask me...

The other orphan is the navy T-shirt.  It's flattering and a good layering piece and yet... I almost never wear it.  Bad me!  Time to put that baby on heavy rotation!

Wednesday's Winter Wear:
Cream sweater/coat, gift from my bestie Cindy
Grey fringed scarf, gift from my SIL
Navy T-shirt, Target clearance rack
Jeggings, Target
Black OTK boots, Payless

Ouch

No full face tonight.  I'm in a wee bit of pain, I'm exhausted, and I'm not feeling it.  Can you guess what I did after work?

Today's outfit is very, very specific.  I recently decided (like, on Sunday afternoon) to wear a different pair of boots every day until I've worn them all.  And also, wear all my skirts.  And also, also, wear those items that don't get much play in my daily outfits.

The moto jacket is awesome and gorgeous, and yet I don't wear it that often.  Because... I don't know.  And I haven't worn my olive green button wool skirt all winter.  Sigh.  Closet Fail!

Still can't tell what I did after work?  Here's a clue:

You got it - I donated blood.  And my vein did NOT want to cooperate, meaning I am bruised and achy.  And tired.  And my tummy is acting up (unrelated to the donation).  Somebody call the Waaaaaahmbulance.  I need a ride.

Purposeful Outfit #1:
Light grey moto jacket, gift from my StepMom
Black turtleneck tunic, Target
Olive green skirt, uber-sale at Banana Republic
Black leggings, Old Navy
Black vintage boots, my Gramma Mac's.
Gold hoops, Target
Kick-ass cape-coat in the background, faux-Target

My New Favorite Sport

And no, it's not shopping.  My latest obsession*?  Lacrosse, baby!  This may be the GREATEST SPORT YOU AREN'T WATCHING.  I went to my first MN Swarm Lacrosse game last night, and it combined dancing at a club, cheering (one of my favorite activities), aerobics, and grown men smacking each other upside the head with sticks.

I LOVED IT.  If you have a lacrosse team in your home town, I strongly recommend attending a game.  And if you're checking out a cool new sport, you should dress appropriately.  Here's what I wore:

Stripes!  To go with the bee theme of the Swarm's uniform.  And boots!  Because the arena is cold, peeps.

Although I like my outfit, it had a slight problem:

Wearing stripes around one's bum and hips make them look larger, no?  Ah well, I was comfy:

And comfort at a sporting event is key.  So is wearing a bad ass ring:

I'll give two points to the reader who knows what movie that ring is from!

The Swarm Outfit:
Faux-leather moto jacket, faux-Target aka the Salvation Army in downtown Mpls
Striped t-shirt, Express
Skinny jeans, Calvin Klein by way of a Macy's sale
Black three-buckle flat boots, Macy's sale
Ring, movie swag from my old video job

*Also!  Name the movie that phrase, latest obsession, is from!  You'll win 200 points!  For... nothing!

Still Dressed

Barely.  Hah!  PUN.  BARE.  Eh, whatever, it's the best I've got tonight.  I am beyond tired, stressed and overworked - thus, I lack any and all witty banter.  But I don't lack a cool shirt!  Let me show you:

I KNOW.  That embroidery is off the HOOK.  Best of all, it's not just pretty on the front and the sleeves.  It's also embroidered on the back.  Behold!

It's pretty both coming AND going!  Love it!

BUT (there's always a but).  It's one of those pieces of clothing where the item itself is stunningly beautiful.  However, the item does not make ME look stunningly beautiful, regardless of how gorgeous it may be.  In fact, it kind of makes me look pregnant.  And hippy.  A hippy pregnant lady.

Also, it's a bit... much.  I feel like the tunic is wearing me, and not the other way around.  But I've toned it down the best I can with basic black leggings and big-ass boots.  So, all in all, I still feel pretty, oh so pretty!

Red Indian tunic (actually FROM India), gift from a dear friend (thus I will never be parted from it!)
Leggings, Express bought on sale
Black over the knee boots, Payless
Curly-ass hair, courtesy of my parents' genes.

Happy Birthday to MEEEE!!!!

You say it's your birthday?  It's my birthday, too, yeah!  Seriously, it is.  I turn 39 years old today - woot!  Last year of my thirties!  Party on, Wayne and Garth. 

My sister-in-law has declared 39 to be a more better year that 38.  Why?  Because 38 is so unnecessary and lacking in meaning, but 39 has PURPOSE.  I'm on board with that, as random as it sounds.  Why not, I ask you?

As I am spending my entire birthday in my jammies, I thought I'd show you pretty piccies of what I want to be wearing.  But would have to purchase first, lest I being stealing clothes...



Merona dress, $24.99.  I once owned this Target dress in black in a size Medium.  I've lost 10 lbs since then, and amped up the color in my wardrobe - so now I want this in that teal green in a size Small.




Mossimo Dress, $29.99.  This Target dress is so freaking CUTE.  And it's BROWN, so I can wear it with BROWN BOOTS.  Yes, the All Caps are necessary - I almost never find cute tunics in a brown color-way.  This may be my birthday gift to my self. :)



Merona Dress, on sale for $13.98.  In the clearance section on Target's website!  I CAN NOT OWN ENOUGH BLACK DRESSES.  It's a sickness, peeps.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wander over to eBay.com and do a bit of shopping there!

I Wore Clothes This Weekend

... just in case you were concerned.  It snowed here, too, making it necessary that I clothe myself.  Lest I freeze and all that.

Why did I bother getting dressed?  To attend the Operation Glass Slipper sale with my bestie, Laura, and her daughter, the lovely G.  All fancy dresses were a mere $5, and wedding dresses (which none of us needed, but are still fun to try on) were $50 or less.  G and I nabbed a few dresses each, and Laura picked up a slinky pink number.  Photos to come as we wear them.

Here's how I dressed to try on dresses:

As usual, the outfit is all about the boots - my faux-Fryes from Target:

The outfit also showcases one of my bazillion scarves.  This one is from a silk vendor in California:

It's a mix of irridescent purple and green, so it matches roughly 85% of my wardrobe...

I even got a close-up of the jewels, folks:

Nope, I'm not a natural blonde.  Shocking, for sure!

Shopping Wear:
Silk scarf, picked up by Laura during her summer trip to Cali
Grey ruffled and drapey cardigan, Moth via the CHAP Store for a mere $3.50
Blue tank, Express
Leggings, Old Navy
Grey boot socks, Target (LOVE THEM!)
Black harness boots, Target via my sister-in-law
Black and silver earrings, Target

What did you crazy kids do this weekend?

Trying To Be Fancy-Like

Dudes, work is a waking nightmare - too much work, too much change, too many people involved.  The only way I could cope yesterday with teaching/managing/producing/etc. was to wear something mildly creative.  Here you go:

Layers!  Funky tights!  (not that you can see them in these photos...)  No black!  Trust me, this is the height of creativity that I can muster right now.

I love this dress so much.  It was a gift from my StepMama for my birthday, and cost a cool $25 on sale.  Bless you, Dillards dress department!

The boots are a bad-ass JCPenney's find.  Tres inexpensive, and comfy enough wear to teach a 3 hour class.  On my feet.  The whole time.

Joooooo-wreeeee!  I decided on a close-up, since they never show in my full-length photos.

The Deets:
Teal tank top, Express
Watercolored dress, Dillards in Omaha
Chocolate blazer, Daytons from 1997!  Still love it, though
Micro-fishnet tights, Target.  And they don't make them anymore.  And I got a hole in mine.
Chocolate boots, JCPenney's 2008 on SALE
Jewelry, Necklace is Lia Sophia and the earrings are Target

Now... back to the salt mines!!!

Sheila Says

Dudes!  I have arrived as a fashion blogger!  How do I know that?  Because the lovely and well-dressed Sheila of Ephemera said so.  How did she say so?  She gave me a Major Award!  THAT IS DEEPLY COOL, PEEPS.  Thank you, Sheila, for sticking with my sporatic, not-so-daily daily style blog.

Sheila said one of the things she liked best about my Scary Closet are the costumes.  Sheila, you are in luck, because I have more costumes to show you!

Last year (2011, hee-hee) in early December, I helped host our MN costuming guild's first Big Holiday Bash.  It's called: A Steampunk Christmas Carol, Fezziwig's Party.  And it was EPIC.  As was the costuming:

Behold!  My buddies (the Wench Posse) and I in our official portrait for 2011.  Yup, we are a fun, historically incorrect bunch!

Here's what I wore:

Formal-wear Assassin* Ensemble:
Silver/black tiny top hat, gift from Laura, embelished by me
Black ruffled blouse, Victoria's Secret by way of eBay
Black satin corselet, made by me with GREAT DIFFICULTY
Grey/blue apron with ball-fringe trim, made by me, pattern by Victorian Times (?)
Grey/blue bustle with ball-fringe trim, bustled by Laura, sewn by me
Black lace-up boots, Durango by way of eBay
Black lacy tights, gift from Heather
Black leather arm-warmers, China by way of eBay

*My Steampunk "persona" is an assassin.  I like having a persona, it helps me plan out my costumes.  What makes this costume assassin-y?  The thigh-holster and pistol you can't see in this photo.

My costuming bestie, Laura, also looked fabulous:

She wore her Steampunk Snow Queen costume, as befitting her position as our guild's President.  I told her if she was the Snow Queen, then my costume was Black Ice.  That's a MN joke for those of you in warmer climes...

Check out these other fabulous folk:

above: My Ren Fest buddy, Dave, and his gorgeous wife, Chris...

above:  My friend, Carol, admires Traci's uber-cool metal Steampunk'd arm.  BTW, Traci makes those for purchase...

Laura and I would like to leave you with the power of RAWK:

And again, thank you Sheila!!!!

NOTE:  official photos courtesy of Jim Jordan, Photographer.