Ralph Lauren for the Rest of Us

Last week, my mom and I took a trip to Target, and we stopped by the neighboring J.C. Penney afterwards. I've never been a fan of "Penney's," so I did not expect to find anything. To my utter amazement, I walked into a Ralph Lauren fan's paradise. The Americana brand, American Living, is Penney's newest venture. Created by the makers of Ralph Lauren, it is Ralph Lauren in everything but name. Nowhere can the familiar R.L. be found, but the plaid, ruffled shirts, fairisle vests, and tartan dresses scream Ralph Lauren. While the prices are still a bit steep ($60 for a shirt), they are astonishingly cheap for R.L. I walked out with quite a few pieces at 40% off.

top: American Living;

brown cords: Delia's;

purple cloche: Target.

There was a WONDERFUL gold-crested navy blazer that I longed for, but it was priced at over $100 on sale, so I had to leave with only a beautiful tartan dress, a fairisle vest, a black chiffon shirt dress, and two ruffle button-downs. It was a pretty fabulous day.

p.s. did you notice? I got my hair cut! I'll post the curly version soon.

Is anyone out there? 'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe.

Dearest Readers,

Do you exist? If you do, would you mind leaving me a comment or two (or three or twelve)? I receive almost no feedback about the blog. Do enlighten me, darlings.

Blessings,

Alice

Harlequin Candy

tights: Walmart;

jumper: thrifted;

sweater: F21;

headband: Target.

Thanksgiving is never very exciting for me, food-wise. I do not eat meat; therefore, since Thanksgiving is a rather meat-infested holiday, I miss out. Corn, rice and gravy, and bread are still quite delicious though.

Cherry Stems

dress: thrifted;

coat: H&M;

tights: Walmart;

shoes: Wanted.

jeans: Delia's;

shirt and vest: thrifted;
necklace: antique.

I wore this a couple weeks ago but never got a chance to post it. I wore the dress to mass and then changed into the jeans outfit for a casual bridal (pantry) shower.

90s kid

One day, preferably next year, I want to have a 90s party to which all guests wear 90s-inspired outfits and rhythmically contort to N*sync and good Britney. We'll drink Mountain Dew, watch "All That," "Doug," and "Clarissa Explains It All," and each guest will depart with a Beanie Baby. Oh, the fun we shall have.

jacket, belt, and top: thrifted;

shorts: AE.

Today, Madhatter commented, "You always look like you've just stepped out of an era."

I beamed.

Pastel mints are delicious.

Baby Beau was baptized today! I am now his proud and loving Nanny.

Sweaters: Target and H&M;

white top: F21;

black top: Old Navy;

skirt: thrifted;

socks: AA;

rings: Grandma, childhood, local shops.

Hold on, little Spider Monkey.

Twilight came out this weekend!

Jeans: Express;

boots: UO;

blazer: thrifted;

suspenders: UO;

sweater: H&M.

Observations:

• Robert Pattinson is very sexy.
• Overall, I didn't like the movie very much, but I've read every book and thought that Twilight was quite good.
• Kristin Stewart is beautiful, but I'm not a fan of her acting. She is too monotone for my tastes. I can't seem to believe her as a character.
  

P.S. One of my classmates rear-ended me on the way to the movie theatre. Now my poor car is crushed, but, thankfully, no one was physically harmed.
P.P.S. The title of this post comes from a line said by Edward Cullen in the film. The screenwriter who wrote that should never work in Hollywood again.

P.P.P.S. Yes, this is the outfit that I wore to the movie.

Lewis and Clark

(hmmm... if only I was in focus...)

pink zipper/ruffle tank: F21;

shorts: Delia's;

sweater: Stage;

socks: Walmart;

bag: F21;

shoes: Wanted;

hair ribbon (bow fell out): waist tie on a thrifted dress.

My boyfriend and I drove around looking for cool things to take pictures of for my photography class. While I took my pictures with my film SLR, he snapped some shots with my digital camera. They are acceptable and therefore appear above :)

*sigh* I wish that I could have the control of being behind the lens while also being in front of it.

As a side note, shortly after this little excursion, my boyfriend ("Madhatter?") drove my poor car into a ditch in the middle of nowhere. Thank you, little muscleman who helped push it out.

<----- IDIOT.

Perhaps I will recount the whole event one day, but for now I will leave it at that.

(p.s. I don't post any of my photography because copyright infringement scares me.)

(photo of Madhatter courtesy of C. Young)

I thought torture was illegal?

THIS IS EVIL.

They're in stock in my size! I have an abnormally large foot (11, sometimes 11.5), and they're in my size. Free People, why are you so cruel? $168?!

I think I shall go cry while the shoe gods laugh at me.

Wings

(skirt: thrifted;

tank: I Miz for Target;

jacket: thrifted Air Force;

clutch: thrifted;

headband: Target?)

I went thrifting a few weeks ago, and I found this lot of Air Force jackets. There were two medium length uniform jackets (one had a name plate that said Savoie), one cropped jacket, and a full length trench/peacoat/military concoction that was completely wonderful and completely awful all at the same time.

I ended up buying only the cropped jacket and an Air Force uniform shirt that had a considerable weight to it. I decided not to buy any of the other jackets.... The sleeves on all of them were rather wide, but otherwise they fit me pretty well. I wonder... should I go back for them?

(Tell me no! I have no money!)

Doubles

I was originally wearing the purple skirt I'm wearing a few posts down, but my mother vetoed that idea with her comment of "I thought you were going to a PARK?"
*sigh*

I wore this to the park and Taco Bell with one of my friends considered to be my "twin."

She was wearing plaid pajama shorts, a band tee, and a nifty newsboys cap.

I hadn't seen her in forever.

'Twas fun.

sweater: target;

shorts: AE;

scarf: mom's;

lacey tank: F21.

That Mother Chucker

Halloween!Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass

(sweater: United Colors of Benetton;

blazer: thrifted.)

Blair's face ran away; I'm sorry.