A Rainbow of Ruffles

Continuing with my ruffle theme from yesterday, one of my favorite items from NZ:

Hello, Derp Face. Boy, I haven't missed you. Ah well, that aside:

Mini top hat-Ebay

Apache tear necklace-Inherited

Black peasant blouse-Arc

Black pinstriped vest-Goodwill

Ruffled multi-colored skirt-Paper Bag Princess

Tights-Hot Topic

Black slides-Recycle Boutique

You can't see it in the picture (silly flash washout) but the vest has a fine silver pinstripe on it. I love it. I really like this skirt-it's so bright and colorful, and the ruffles give it a lot of motion. Basically, this outfit makes me really happy for no discernable reason except FUN! I want to make several skirts like this with some pretty taffetas I have. Can't wait to start sewing on them! 

A Ruffly Return

Hi, all! Sorry for my absence the last month, but first I was unpacking everything after coming back from New Zealand and then I was repacking everything to come back up to Denver and somehow blogging just got lost in the shuffle. I'm back at school and regularly mixing it up with cute outfits, though, so hopefully I'll be able to be the blogger you, my lovely readers, really deserve. Without further ado, here is today's outfit:

Skull necklace-Gift

Sailor collared blouse-Buffalo Exchange

White t-shirt-Wal-Mart

Ruffled two-layered plaid skirt-Buffalo Exchange

Navy kneesocks-K-mart

Heeled Mary Janes-Ross

I was told by a boy I ran into on campus that I looked like an anime character, and while I can definitely see that looking at the outfit, I was going more for turn-of-the-century sailor girl. I snatched up the blouse only to find that it was just a *bit* too small in the bust, so rather than wear it gaping and straining at the buttons all day, I just opted to wear it open over a t instead. I love the floppy collar and simple cut of the blouse, and hope to use it as a pattern to make more in different color combinations-lavender with plum trim, neon green with black, black with red...the possibilities are endless! Do any of you own an item of clothing you'd like to have in a ton of color variations? 

Mega-Super Post of Awesomesauce

I've been a terrible blogger lately. Don't really have an excuse except that I've been busy enjoying some of my last days in New Zealand, but I've still been recording my outfits and want to share them, so I thought I would do that today with pithy comments! Nine days until I'm back in the States, I can hardly believe it. Time has really flown! And speaking of things that fly, look at these neat tights:

(See what I did there? :P)

Black sparkly sheer blouse-Paper Bag Princess

Black cami (underneath)-Arc

Black sparkly net skirt-Salvation Army

Feather print tights-Evolve

Black boots-The Warehouse

Loved this outfit, and really enjoyed wearing it. The beads on the skirt and blouse livened up the solid black, and I'm a sucker for a good feather print.  In fact, judging by my outfits (and my irregular blogging), one might say I've been a little bird-brained lately:

Black peacock-print dress-Fiji specialty shop

Black boots-The Warehouse

This dress makes me preen like a peacock. Ok, ok, I'll stop with the bad puns. (For now.) It is super-comfy and very easy to wear yet elegant, though. Like a nightgown for public consumption. But my love of wacky prints continues unabated:

Black lace shirt-Salvation Army

Japanese doll-print skirt-Salvation Army

Black tights-Wal-Mart

Flower wedges-Recycle Boutique

Here's a close-up of the print on the skirt, because it is unbelievably adorable:

If that doesn't make you want to smile, you have no soul. And speaking of soullessness, here was my attempt at a sexy, black-clad creature of the night look:

Black ruffled shrug-Love Culture

Black cami-Arc

Black-black striped underbust corset-The Crypt

Red velvet/black mesh skirt-Recycle Boutique

Black patterned fishnets-The Warehouse

Black satin heels-H&H New Zealand Clothing

Ok, this wasn't really an attempt at vampire cosplay. It just came out looking like one. Oops. Or not. I HAVE NO REGRETS! I also have no regrets about this skirt:

Black pinstripe jacket-H&H New Zealand Clothing

Gargoyle necklace-Repeat Boutique

Black tank-Forever 21

Silver underbust corset-Punk69

Black handwarmers-Forever 21

Ruffled multi-colored skirt-Paper Bag Princess

Black and green striped socks-New Zealand Sock Company

Black flower wedges-Recycle Boutique

This skirt, man. I saw it, I was drawn to it, but then I was like "It's too loud." But I kept thinking about it, so I went back and bought it. It was gloriously spinny and fun and perfect to wear swing dancing. One of my friends told me "It reminds me of when we used to do parachute in elementary school!" I think that's one of the most unique comments I've ever gotten on my clothing. It made me smile! 

Two For One, Silver Edition

Hello, all! Had a nice dinner party last night, but it meant I didn't have time to post my outfits, so today you get two for the price of one. Yesterday's outfit:

Black muppets T-shirt: Wal-Mart

Grey satin skirt: Paper Bag Princess

Laced handwarmers: Claire's

Grey tights:Wal-Mart

Black combat boots: Ross

A little more punky/casual than my usual; the skirt is new, and super-swirly, so I really like it, and want to try it in a dressier outfit in the future!

Sorry for the whacked-out lighting in this pic-the sun comes into my room at really weird angles sometimes! I get a beautiful sunset view, though, so it's all worth it.

Gargoyle necklace-Repeat Boutique

Black lacy blouse-Savers

Grey wool vest-Savers

Pinstriped underbust corset-Punk69

Black net and ribbon skirt-Paper Bag Princess

Black tights-Wal-Mart

Flowered round toe shoes-Recycle Boutique

It's a shame the skirt didn't photograph better, as it is a LOT lovelier in person; it's a stretchy black net with ribbons running down it in vertical stripes and a layer of black lace ruffling out from underneath. The back has a trailing fishtail element that makes it look super-Victorian. I'm going to play around with my camera this weekend and see if I can get some better shots of it, because it sure is lovely!