Curious Threads

Curious Prints Tank Top, Skirt via Pieceology Vintage (currently offering 25% off everything in my shop!), Chinese Laundry Platforms, Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

About a month ago I got together with some of my favorite ladies, Chelsea, Kate and Nicole, to do a fun photoshoot for Kate's new clothing line, Curious Threads. This line is an extension of Kate's home decor and accessories line, Curious Prints, which is already a well established small biz here in Austin. I'm in love with pretty much everything Kate creates so I was thrilled when she asked me to model some of her pieces. Consisting of tees, silk scarves and truly bad ass leggings, Kate has curated a collection of some of my new favorite items that I'm already wearing over and over and over. Go check out her web site and the new Curious Threads!

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May

Top via Local Honey, Pants via Pieceology Vintage, Zara Sandals, Belt via Charm School Vintage, Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

Hello there! Happy May! It's hard to believe we are getting pretty close to being half way through 2016... and what a year it's been so far. I don't have any small goals set for May and come to think of it, I didn't have any for April either. Not my standard five monthly goals I usually share on this blog anyway... But I do have a little update for y'all!
 

Back in January before my dad was hospitalized I had all of these ideas, all of these things I wanted to accomplish this year and I'm not here to tell you that all of that has changed because it hasn't. I'm still working toward a lot of the goals I've set for myself this year. There are just a lot of new, unexpected things now that have been added. I've been editing and reevaluating what's priority and what isn't because I very simply have to. I realized not too long after my dad passed that I couldn't do everything anymore. It was too much, and to be honest, I felt kind of like a failure for not being able to juggle it all. But I've slowly let that go and accepted that it's perfectly OK that I can't. Then, a few weeks ago I made a decision to take a leave of absence from my 9-5 job to focus on taking care of my dad's estate. Although it was a very tough decisions, because like I said I really wanted to be able to do it all, I'm so glad that I made it. My stress levels have gone down significantly and I feel like I can breath just a little bit better.

For the next six weeks I'll be sorting things out the best I can while I have a little extra time. I'm so grateful that I could even do this because I know a lot of people can't. I have a plan put together, which consists of things like lots of meetings, lots of long phone calls, deciding what to do with my dad's homes, traveling back and forth from Austin to New Orleans, etc, etc. But, I also want to take some time to just be and try not worry about anything at all. Watch Netflix, lay in bed, read, rest, get a massage! Although the majority of this "break" will be spent making really hard decisions and continuing to confront a lot of grief and sadness, I also hope to give myself a little extra grace. Wish me luck.

P.S. This post had nothing to do with my outfit, but it's a great example of what not to wear while riding a bicycle. Or maybe it's exactly what you should wear. I'll let you decide.

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Put A Bow On It

Vintage Top via Laced with Romance, Vintage Skirt via Pre to Post Modern, Chinese Laundry Platforms, Earrings via Maya Star

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

This is what I wore to the Pieceology Vintage pop-up at Byron & Blue in East Austin this past Saturday. I was going for a 1970s boss babe look and I have to say, I think I nailed it. If I were alive back in the 70s I'd have definitely been kicking butt and taking names in this outfit.

As much as I love this look, can you believe I almost didn't even buy the top? I wasn't sure if I'd really be able to pair it with anything, but I took the chance because of how well it fit me and I'm SO glad I did. I've actually already styled it several different ways like with this denim skirt and also with a pair of cropped jeans and some wide-legged floral pants. I love the late 60s, early 70s sort of iconic collar, and of course the bow tie which was the biggest selling point for me. And how could I not pair it with these 70s inspired platform wedges? The perfect combo IMO and although the top + skirt + platforms combo is fantastic, it's also a bit... neutral, so I went out and bought these bright pink tassel earrings to give the look a fun pop of color. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and the pop-up was a lot of fun, too + I was super grateful Chelsea came out and captured all the excitement. What better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon in Austin, TX?!

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Glitter

Lulu's Bodysuit (similar), Thrifted Skirt & Bag, Zara Heels, Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

Not sure if you can tell from these photos but my shoes are grey glitter and I'm in love with them. I mentioned in this post that I've been trying to add more color to my wardrobe, which is pretty different for me, so I guess I decided to start off "subtle" with some glitter and shiny things. I'm slowly trying to incorporate actual bright colors, like these pink tassel earrings I bought last week from Maya Star in Austin. Baby steps, right? Next on my list is to find a brightly patterned circa 1960s-1970s mini dress for Summer. I'm on the hunt!

Are there any vibrant pieces in your wardrobe or on your wishlist that you just can't get enough of right now?

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Jimmy Page and Denim Jackets

Dress & Shoes via Charm School Vintage, Thrifted Jacket & Backpack, Brixton Hat

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

Seriously, how perfect is this location in East Austin? Chelsea saw that Jimmy Page poster and immediately knew we had to shoot in front of it and I'm so glad we did. I feel like kinda of the coolest in these photos. But, really, Chelsea always makes me feel like the coolest when we get together to shoot.

Also, let me geek out for a minute about this awesome denim jacket. I found it when I was out thrifting back in December while in California on a buying trip for Pieceology Vintage. It's nice to take a detour from time to time to shop for myself instead of the shop, although I have to say, both are equally exciting. The thrill of the hunt is real, y'all. Especially when you're looking for that one particular item and you actually find it. That was definitely the case with this jacket. I'm thinking of covering it in patches soon so it'll be ready for me once fall hits again.

Do you have a special thrifted piece that you were searching and searching for and then you finally found it and it was just the best? 

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Fleeting

Urban Outfitters Crop Top, Vintage Denim Vest (similar), Thrifted Skirt via Top Drawer Thrift (similar), Lotta from Stockholm Clogs, Vintage Dooney & Bourke Backpack (similar)

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

Hello there! I'm back at it with a new outfit post today. I have a few looks from early last month I shot with Chelsea that I'd like to share with you guys. Here's one we shot at a new coffee shop over in my neighborhood, Fleet Coffee. I had the pleasure of stopping by there just a few days before co-owners Patrick and Lorenzo officially opened up shop during SXSW. It's a must try if you're a coffee lover in Austin or are ever visiting. These guys know coffee!

Anyway, I also just wanted to give you guys a little update on me and where I'm at right now. First, thank you all for the kind words about my dad. I've had such an outpouring of love and support from so many people and I'm eternally grateful for that. It's helped so much during this time in my life. I do have to say that I have a lot more on my plate now than I did before (and honestly, I had a lot on my plate already) so as far as the blog goes, although I won't be going on a big break, I will be taking on a bit of a lighter load for a little while. I'll probably stick to one to two posts per week depending on what I have going on and there may even be some weeks you might not hear from me at all.

May is going to be pretty insane, with me having to travel back and forth from New Orleans to take care of things at my dads home and I'm move into a new place here in Austin toward the end of May as well. I've decided to move into a place on my own for a little while rather than with roommates and I'm so excited to have my very own space! Plus I have a fun trip to New York planned for mid-May with one of my closest friends. So bare with me during this time and again, thank you for all the love. You guys are seriously super great!

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Gold

H&M Top, Zara Skirt & Heels, Cleobella Bag (similar), Storie in Italy Necklace

Photos by Chelsea Laine Francis

Lately I've been loving on all things sparkly and shiny. I bought this pair of heels and this gold skirt at the same time, both from Zara. I've been trying to incorporate more color into my wardrobe this year and these two purchases were a small step in that direction.

I'm also planning on wearing this skirt with a really bright, fun crop top to a big SXSW event I'm vending for Pieceology Vintage tomorrow! Yep, I'll be at Swan Dive here in Austin tomorrow from 12-6pm for The Wild Honey Pie showcase. I've been a huge fan and attendee of this event for a long time and am so excited to be a part of it this time around. I'll have all my vintage goodies there plus there will be tons of great music, some rad giveaways, and free drinks! If you'll be in town come hang out! You can RSVP here.

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