Oh hi.

Vintage sequin jacket? Thrifted. Vintage tee? Thrifted. Joe's Jeans? Thrifted. Bruno Magli wedges? Thrifted. Python purse? Thrifted.Turquoise necklace and bracelet? Thrifted.

Oh hello there. It's nice to see you again. 

The past few weeks away from the blog have found me engaging in such scintillating activities as swimming with my kids; reading and rereading new books (Gone Girl - get it); thrifting; working at Vintage Martini; and wondering whether I would ever blog again. My life at home has been just as tumultuous as you'd expect it to be for someone going through a divorce, and the last thing I want is for this blog to devolve into a WAAH WAAH WAAH POOR ME I"M SO SAD AND DEPRESSED WILL I EVER LOVE AGAIN BOO HOO HOO sob fest.

So instead, I present you with this entirely-inappropriate-for-Texas-summer-heat outfit. I wore this to work today while pulling consignments and tagging vintage and shockingly managed to keep every sequin on my jacket intact.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Catechism 4.16.12

Forever 21 denim jacket; Vintage thrifted Neiman Marcus silk blouse; vintage thrifted skirt; vintage thrifted python clutch; Jessica Simpson kitten heels; Forever 21 bracelets

This is my I Don't Know What To Wear To Church So I Wore Black outfit. Dressing for church is complicated. Not as complicated as trying to understand Middle Eastern politics or why ABC canceled My So-Called Life after one season but complicated nonetheless. When Sunday comes, I struggle between making appropriate, if somewhat bland, sartorial choices, or sticking to my more fashionable, often tattoo-revealing uniform. It's not easy.

I felt like this outfit was a decent compromise. I was covered up and respectful, but still felt like me.

Do you struggle between dressing "appropriately," and dressing like yourself?

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Cornflower 3.30.12

1950's shirt dress from Archive Vintage; thrifted Bruno Magli heels; thrifted python bag; thrifted rose gold Michael Kors watch; Forever 21 & Neiman Marcus bracelets

The main story on the news these days is the half a billion dollar lottery drawing scheduled to take place tonight. Sometimes, when I'm having trouble falling asleep, I fantasize about what I would do if I won. I'd likely behave exactly as most would if they suddenly came into money -- I'd travel, and pay off debt, and probably purchase a larger house. I'd treat my friends to a lavish vacation and help out family, and donate to various charities. I'd open a vintage shop and host dinner parties, and hire a housekeeper to do my laundry.

It's nice to sit and fantasize about the what-ifs and could-be's of lottery drawings. But truth be told, if I really was to win the lottery, my first priority would be to hire a tailor to create 100 copies of this dress in different fabrics, colors and sleeve lengths. It's that perfect.

{Almost daily outfit of the day} Triumph of the dowdy 3.28.12

Thrifted silk blouse; thrifted chiffon skirt; Steve Madden pumps; thrifted vintage python clutch; Forever 21 & Neiman Marcus bracelets

Friends, there is a fine line between looking modest and mature, and appearing dowdy. When I first put this ensemble together I was thinking more "Enchanting, Whimsically Youthful Fashion Blogger in A Polka Dot Skirt" than "Matronly Retired Accountant Who Eats Lean Cuisines In Her Basement Apartment While Listening To NPR And Lamenting Her Youth." I think my sensible pumps pushed me towards the latter. Before you know it I'll be watching old episodes of Matlock while stirring Metamucil into my instant coffee and yelling at neighborhood kids to get off my lawn.

Snarking aside, I have to admit I felt pretty in this silk blouse and drawstring skirt, and received a few compliments from random strangers. So you win, dowdy outfit. You win.