Boots Fit for My Calves

It never fails - every winter Boyfriend and I find ourselves in the shoe section of store after store, trying on boot after boot, only to find that they're too big for my bug-sized calves. I L-O-V-E me some longs boots in the winter (so chic, so warm and comfortable), but I have the hardest time finding a pair that fit my narrow legs. That is, until I discovered DUO Boots.

Far from the mundane "custom sized" shoes and boots I've grown up seeing, DUO puts out some of the cutest styles of boots I've seen anywhere, let alone in the arena of wide/narrow calf sizing. And the quality! I've had my black pair for over a year and they still look brand new.

The pair that I chose can no longer be found on the site, but I wore them in this post and will be featuring them again later this week and throughout the winter, I can assure you. They're a fairly straightforward black pair with a detail at the top that resembles the lapels of a jacket. They're the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned and they fit perfectly. You just measure your calves with a tape measure and shop based on your size. They sell boots in 21 different calf sizes, from narrow all the way up through wide.

DUO also features 5 sizes of wide-fitting shoes in a variety of cute styles. I highly recommend this company to anyone who ever has trouble finding stylish shoes that fit. This British company will deliver every time.

Pink Pleats - Yours and Mine

This outfit may be reminiscent of the 1950's, but it is also a call back to spring. A time when pretty white flowers were growing everywhere and pretty skirts in hues of baby blue and pastel pink floated all about town. When I first bought this skirt I assumed I would wear it next spring and tucked it away in my clothing chest. Instead I saw an opportunity yesterday as I glanced over at my black turtleneck and realized what a darling combination these two colors would make. No, it's not the first time they've meet, but they sure do look darling, don't they - spring or fall. I really think this works during the colder months. Is there really a rule that white can't be worn all year long?

Shop for these skirts here, here and here

I find this skirt to be so perfect that I shopped around Etsy to find a few for you! There just happens to be several pink skirts and dresses similiar to mine. Just in case you get inspired to add some pink into your fall wardrobe, I thought I would include them on here. They are all so very darling and special and every way. If you are interested in taking a look at any of these skirts, just click on the links above.

Pink Pleated Skirt: vintage
Black Turtleneck: Macy's
White Headband: Forever 21
Pearl Necklace: vintage
T-strap heels: thrifted
White Purse: ModCloth

Really? I Never Knew That!

Would it be odd to say that the very first Doc Martens where made from a tire? Well, its true! And that's just the beginning of the Fun Facts about these vintage boots! Not only did the punk generation accept these shoes with open arms, housewives found the shoe's comfortable, durable soles to be the bee's knees! Sale averaged out during the first decade to 80% being bought by women in their 40's!

Soccer fans where also swooned by these tough, hearty soles of rubber. During the 70's they painted their team colors on the boots and exposed the steel toecaps to show whose team was boss. They found it fun to kick other fans using their Doc Martens. This became a bit of a problem and it resulted in the mandatory removal of the boots during games.

Brides have also found these boots to be a great accessory. During the 90's the color white was very popular to wear down the aisle. Later a bridal version was released due to its overwhelming popularity. Gold boots with white laces could be purchased from Dr. Marten.

This post is dedicated to Boyfriend, a guy who used to wear these boots back before he even knew of the Bug. I have never personally worn these boots or owned a pair. Have you ever worn Doc Martens? Do you still currently? How did or do you wear them?

Under My Tree, There Is Me

Fresh crunchy leaves under my feet - who isn't a leaf stomper? I actually belong to a Facebook group called "I Will Go Slightly Out of My Way To Step On That Crunchy-looking Leaf". Every fall I look forward to the days of leaf stomping. I pay no disrespect to the tree - I understand that it took the tree all Spring to grow those perfectly stomp-able leaves and I appreciate that. I feel its my duty to give the leaf its final goodbye, so-long, farewell. It was a nice summer and now you must go. I pay my respects and move on to the next leaf.

I am anticipating even larger quantities of leaves in the coming weeks. Here in Arlington the trees haven't completely turned yet. I dream of taking a ride to the Blue Ridge Mountains over the weekend, adoring all the colorful trees and fallen leaves. It would be so much fun to get stay overnight in a cabin too and wake up to warm breakfast and a day of walking on the trail and taking photographs. It would be marvelous!!

I really enjoy this blazer and skirt. I just had to combine the two and see what would happen. The result: a gorgeous school-girlish ensemble, perfect for a fall day. I love adding accessories provided by boyfriend, he too likes to get credit for his fashionable digs. He isn't the most stylish boyfriend, but he can pick out a few cute t shirts here and there.

Blazer: BB Dakota
Skirt: Victoria Secrets
Black Turtleneck: Macy's
Necklace: No idea (fashioned a long necklace into a tier necklace by using safety pins)
Heels: BC Footwear
Hat: Boyfriend
Knee Highs: can't remember

Tree graphic provided here

Claire McCardell

Images provided by Life - here, here and here

Claire McCardell may not be new news to some, but for me she is a whole new discovery. Having always been interested primarily in 60's fashion, I never considered the fashion from eras before the groovy, mod short-skirted ladies. I have recently fallen in love with the ladylike, conservative fashions of the 1950's. Claire McCardell was a lady who made this conservative style unique and appealing.

And so it began...

Claire was interested in fashion at a very young age. She crafted paper dolls from her mother's magazines. As she continued to grow she realized the difficulties in playing with her young brothers while wearing the restricting clothes of that time. When she grew up her love for fashion did not wane. Her very first important job in fashion was as an assistant to the designer Robert Turk. She was later given the opportunity to finish the 1932 line due to his unfortunate death. Her work was somewhat successful and she was given the position of head designer. This was the role that would lead to many wonderful creations and designs never dreamt of before.

Images provided here, here and here

A look of her own...

"McCardellisms" was a term coined by her to describe her constant use of particular fashion details. WWII brought along strict textile guidelines. Clarie embraced this changing market and designed clothing that were affordable and practical. Some of her innovations included ballet slippers, zippers, use of wrap tie fasteners, jersey dresses and tweed coats.

She was fond of the little black dress and large pockets fixated on dresses and skirts. She is also known for her sportswear collection and casual and easy-to-wear designs. Her designs were refashioned later and are common in looks seen today.

Claire McCardell pieces can be found and purchased on Etsy here, here and here.

How to emulate her style...

Many of her original pieces still exist today, thanks to her attention to quality and detail. I have seen several of her clothes floating here and there on the internet. Above are a couple of pieces availbale now at Etsy. The black dress has to be my favorite. You can also find her style being influenced on today's designers. Cynthia Rowley and Donna Karan are only a couple of the many designers out there to discover.

Sad Clown Halloween

Have you ever wondered what people wore in the past before the hippie or french maid costume was popular? When people made their own costumes instead of buying packaged mass-consumed disguises with no character? When I was researching vintage Halloween costumes, I came upon several photos and images of people dressed up in black and white ensembles decorated with puffy black pom poms. I wasn't sure what the costumes where at first but after doing a little investigative work on the internet, I found that this costume in fact did have a name and a story.

The sad clown, or more formally known as Pierrot (boy) and Pierrotte (girl) was a stock character of mime and Commedia dell'Arte. Pierrot is a gentle soul, somewhat of a fool and considered loony in nature. There are many different versions of this clown and his story. You can read more on his history here. I saw so many different sad clowns on flicker. Some of the costumes had pointy hats, others had black caps. I saw some of the costumes made into dresses others wore white tunics. I had plenty of pictures to inspire me.

I have been planning on utilizing these stairs in my pictures for months. Known as the 'exorcist steps', it is no doubt scary when descending these steep blocks of concrete. I get a little freaked out every time I look down below. If you haven't already guessed, these steps where used for the ending of the 1973 horror film, The Exorcist.

I simply adore my Halloween costume this year. The story and unique details lead to plenty of interested glances. It was tough putting together the hat. I used a witches hat and cut off the brim. Several coats of white paint and a few black pom poms finalized the headpiece. I anticipate explaining this outfit to many people this Halloween.

Dress: vintage
Black Belt: no idea
Hat: handmade
Tights: Macy's
Shoes: Style & Co.

Have A Safe and Fun Halloween!!

Images provided here, here, and here

Ladybug Pumpkin

I usually carve my Halloween pumpkin, but this year I wanted to try something different, a pumpkin painted like a lady bug - boy do I feel like Picasso! What I love about painting instead of carving is that there is no messy pumpkin insides spewing out on the table, instead a quick coat of paint here and there does the trick. If you would like to paint your own ladybug pumpkin, check out the instructions below.