Marie Antoinette Blue… let them wear costumes

Our annual Halloween scarefest and obligatory traditions of watching spine-tingling movies in the dark, succumbing to candy comas, and ordering takeout pizza are finally settling down. With all the haunted houses, ridiculous hair spraying techniques, block parties, and vast amounts of trick-or-treaters (including an Easter Bunny cruising around on his Harley Davidson, something resembling cannibalistic flying monkeys, and a handful of hookah smoking zombies), it’s become such a neighbor affair that you’d think we were The Addams Family. Pity we didn’t have any Girl Scout cookies.

Hey, check out new stuff... and don't forget to enter the Shopbop.com giveaway in the post below! And thank you for all the amaaaazing comments, life's been a little hectic as of late but I promise to visit everyone very soon!

(Johnnie Brock's Dungeon Marie Antoinette costume w/DIY pearls, flowers, and ribbons, L'Oreal zippy blue nail polish, vintage faux fur, HUE ballet lace-up tights, Hypnotic heels w/DIY flower hair ties)

Shopbop.com. Frye boots. Who wants some?

Hello, my lovely Vintage Lollipops readers!!!

Calling all fans of Ugg Boots! Today, we’re giving out a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card to one inspiring commenter who tells us which pair of Ugg boots from Shopbop.com is her favorite, and why. The most creative comment wins. We'd love for you to share with us what you'd wear with them...or even what you wouldn't wear with them. (But really, don't Uggs boots go with everything?)

What are Ugg boots?
Ugg Australia boots, which are all about accessible luxury, made their U.S. debut in 1978 when Brian Smith, an Australian surfer, ventured to the U.S. with a bag full of sheepskin boots. These cozy wardrobe essentials and are a form of unisex, (that's right: unisex!) boots made of the finest sheepskin with soft, fleece lining on the inside. Ugg boots are known for their extreme comfort and actually feel more like slippers than shoes.



How did Ugg boots become so popular?
The term "ugg" or "ug" actually predates the Ugg Australia brand as a generic term for this style of Australian-made sheepskin boots. The history behind "uggs" reportedly includes a diverse crowd: everyone from sheep shearers and war pilots, to surfers and celebrities. And while this type of boot has been around ever since people started raising sheep, it initially faded once leather tanning and cowhide products gained popularity. However, Ugg boots resurfaced among WWI and WWII aviators who needed to stay warm at high altitudes. But the Ugg trend didn't officially start until the late 1970's when Brian Smith introduced surfers on the west coast to them; Californian surfers started using them to keep warm when they got out of the water, and eventually, they blew up in 2000.

How would you wear your Ugg boots?
Although the history of Ugg boots is interesting, what really matters to us is how you would wear them. If you win this giveaway, you’ll get a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card so you can start shopping right away and take a break from painful pumps and slide into comfort.

Simply tell us which pair of Ugg boots is your favorite, and how you’d wear them. The most inspirational, insightful comment wins! Good luck.

Everyone can enter but hurry contest ends November 14th!

Hotel, 9th Floor

Remnants of Denver… forgetting all those frequent flyer miles and premier class ginger ale, having just departed a semi-nerve-racking flight, I’m looking a little tired in these photographs. But after very minimal contemplation, I probably would’ve been well disposed to occupy this massive suite for an unwarranted amount of time, regardless the odious hotel policy to checkout by 11 a.m. But let’s face it… the curtains and color palette have to go.

Still, I’m really missing the everyday amenities, stocked mini bars, private rooftop jacuzzis, round-the-clock room service, Do Not Disturb signs, showers the size of any reputable walk-in closet, and the completely contradictory (to my personality) urge to be slightly disorganized 24/7. Ridiculously enticing, it's good thing I’m heading back in three weeks for round two.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Costume: Marie Antoinette

FYI... Shopbop.com $100 instant gift card giveaway coming soon!

(Vintage lace button-down, rosary, and velveteen capri pants, Frederick's of Hollywood lace bralette, H&M tank, Badgley Mischka bag, BCBG heels)

Let's shake some dust

Summertime shots, cutoffs, and carnival traffic...

(Vintage tunic, bracelets, and DIY Levi's, Alice + Olivia boots, Forever 21 necklace, Hot Topic studded belt)

When autumn leaves fall down

Recently, layered silhouettes, drape cardigans, and chunky little knit hats have been making quite an impression on my everyday styling… just a few more progressing fascinations to accessorize the fall/winter ambiance. Man, I love it when virtually everything in my closet becomes seasonally appropriate.

Very special thanks to Sydnie and chickdowntown for my gorgeous Tolani scarf, it’s a pitch-perfect addition to my wardrobe!

(Forever 21 asymmetrical tank and heels, Target jeans, Tolani scarf, H&M knit hat, BCBG drape cardigan)

Into the shadows

Casual evening, Starbucks craving, a copious amount of arbitrary errands, and one last romp with the shiny silver sandals.

(ACDC graphic tee, Current Elliott cropped jeans, Bakers sandals from a million years ago, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Vintage bracelets)

Lipstick stains on rooftops

I know-I know, the same suede Topshop boots keep manifesting in various posts… but there was an inadequate amount space for stockpiling platforms while packing, so I blame the DVF luggage exclusively. Special thanks to the always-lovely Ediot for designing this amazing shirt. I absolutely adore it, and it’s become such an adaptable wardrobe piece that I’ve been virtually living in it!

And I couldn’t believe the news when I walked out to the mailbox, and there it was… a certificate awarding my manuscript, A Grove without Wings, Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. In the face of such a well-regarded competition, it’s a truly remarkable achievement for my writing career. Needless to say, I’ve far surpassed the initial “Oh my God!” and catapulted straight into a state of euphoria, so many thanks to everyone who sent such thoughtful twitter warm wishes!

(Hot Topic skirt, Eyeshadow cardigan, Ediot shirt, Oscar de la Renta socks, Forever 21 necklace, Topshop boots)

Coyote Ugly

Way too much fun in ridiculously structured parking garages, one overextended mall excursion ensuing a new ring obsession, drinks at Coyote Ugly, Betsey Johnson window-shopping, take-out at Brio, one pair of broken Oliver Peoples sunglasses, hotel room movies (The Proposal and Star Trek), and a smorgasbord of pictures while gallivanting the streets of Denver.

Thank you Shenissel for inviting me to become a guest blogger for Be in Style - Fashion and Beauty Shopping Blog and for giving me the opportunity to write an amazing piece for pocketchange.become.com!

You can read my article here: Mix and Match Brands for Winter 2009

(Vintage coat, rosaries, bracelets, and slip dress, Bebe heels, Badgley Mischka bag, DKNY drape cardigan, Target beanie)

Window with a view

Just cavorting about the hotel room like a five-year-old on a sugar-high, giving all the suits and ties across the street some lunchtime entertainment. Kudos to Ben for his jaunty window cheerleading and for rendering such a wicked perspective behind the lens.

Finally made some sense of all the organized chaos prompted by a gazillion new pictures from my amazing Denver getaway, as well the abundance of leftover summer shots. And as a result of said camerawhoring, there’ll be lots of updates and catching-up to do over the next few weeks.

(Vintage cardigan and rosary, BDG jeans, Topshop boots, Forever 21 tank and necklace)

Down to an art

Thank you Nicole... this is such an honor!

To see more illustrations by Nicole Jarecz visit njareczillustration.blogspot.com

Scattered like paper dolls in the wind

The highly anticipated mini-getaway is rapidly carving out its final hours, but somewhere amidst vanilla cappuccinos and twitter updates, I located this lot of images and thought a little summertime nostalgia was only appropriate to Denver’s 40-degree climate.

I’ve been wearing this necklace (fifth picture) in overkill lately, but it’s such an innovative piece that it’s almost impossible to resist the temptation of pairing it with everything in my closet. One of those arbitrary finds I spotted in a dusty corner of a local antique shop… who knew it would instantly become my own personal talisman. I’m undeniably drawn to its (slightly tarnished) hinged secret treasure box opening that enables the stowing of indiscriminate paraphernalia. I mean, who cares if right now it houses pink grapefruit tic tacs and curiously strong mints.

Packing up piles of clothes and shoes askew the hotel floor and finalizing all the last minute travel logistics… can’t wait to catch-up with everyone!

(Outfit #1 MINKPINK floral tiered dress, vintage combat boots, Nasty Gal spiked cuff. Outfit #2 Forever 21 cargo jacket, Target tank dress, Nordstrom fringe scarf, American Apparel mesh bodysuit, ASOS platforms. Outfit #3 Forever 21 slouch tee and tank, Vintage Calvin Klein cutoffs, Nasty Gal bag, Vintage Capezio butterfly boots and jewelry. Outfit #4 Secondhand Mickey/Minnie Mouse DIY cropped top, Target tank and skirt, Forever 21 cuff, EBay heart sunglasses, Sam Edelman harness boots)

Little leopard

The colossal sized suitcases are full to capacity, even though the adding and subtracting of last minute particulars seems invariable. Slated for much adventure and have magazines and music to keep me occupied and entertained while airborne, forgot how much I love the occasional ballet flat, not a fan of airports, getting anxious but flying first class definitely helps, religiously taking my vitamins, preparing for that inevitable preflight modicum of boredom and tenuous conversation, and fully intend to gadabout with expensive latte concoctions until the final boarding call. At least the upside to incrementally cool weather is that suddenly everything in my wardrobe became seasonally appropriate, thus making the shameless packing charade slightly less problematic.

p.s. Thank you so much for all the amazing well-wishes from my last post.

See you next week!

(Lauren Conrad tank dress, Denim shirt, Nordstrom tights, random studded belt, Chanel shoulder bag, Target flats)

Before bicycle moonlighting disappears

Not for lack of trying, but I haven’t been able to spend as much time online lately due to some recent health issues… it’s nothing to be overly concerned with, but I’m convinced some may have noticed a slight absence in my usual commentary. And while I assure you I’ve been visiting everyone (and obviously still updating regularly), my energy reserves are still rebuilding.

After several appointments with my general physician, a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room, and a few more specialists, I swear I’ve memorized every issue of Better Homes and Gardens these waiting rooms have to offer. So, despite the fact that I typically aim to evade mini-diatribes and/or excessive personalization of blog posts, I wanted to say thank you and send some love to everyone who reads, follows, and takes time to leave me the most incredibly thoughtful comments. You’re amazing, and it never goes unnoticed.

The cosmic forces of French toast

I admit... there are glaringly palpable moments when the savage urge to shop unexpectedly derails self-discipline. But at the menace of overindulgence, I’ve quickly come to realize that sometimes, all I really need to do is step away from the credit card, harness the craving, and just rejuvenate a variety of pieces that had somehow lost their style-fusion or had otherwise suffered the retirement section of my closet. And so I did… well, apart from the recently inescapable Stella McCartney acquisition.

(Alexander Wang Baggy Boaters Dress, Vintage DIY Levi's, Fausta Moretti sandals, Nordstrom knee highs, DIY bag, Vintage arrowhead necklace)

Closet Metal Heads

After several days of concentrated reflection, the ‘what stays and what goes’ piles of clothes, shoes, and accessories unexpectedly garnishing corners of the house like some revolutionary interior design tactic, are finally disappearing. With the objective largely focused on improving the quality of my closet’s life, I might actually be coming out of the critical phase and finally on my way to wardrobe recovery.

We added lots of new and vintage pieces, with plenty of upcoming updates, and since it’s a collaborative effort… please keep checking back for various sizes and styles!!

The Metal Ballerina Shop

Mother thinks the birds are after her

Photos taken from the other day, when the topic of conversation ping-ponged between the 26” elimination of vintage lace required to create a slightly more personalized silhouette, to all the little birds, and from the annoyance of cleaning platform suede to the unusual map of coffee stains on jagged sidewalks. It's not exactly conducive to any real amount of excitement, but you gotta love the completely arbitrary dialogue flowing between two people waiting (caffeine-starved) at the drive-thru window.

Very special thanks to Jasna for my wicked little spotlight post, to Chris for inviting me to be part of the Fashion Jinx Jeans Feature, to Maria for awesomely believing I was cool enough to be included on Chicisimo, and to everyone who so thoughtfully granted me blog awards... you're incredible!

(Vintage dress, Forever 21 ring, Topshop boots)