Orphaned Apparel

Clearance Couture

2012-01-02T01:53:00.000-06:00

With a new year comes a fresh start. Over the course of the past year, it was growing clear to me that the name "Orphaned Apparel" wasn't exactly a perfect match with my bargain-obsessed aesthetic. In December, I decided to was time for a change. First off, I'd like to assure you that Orphaned Apparel is not going anywhere. Eventually, I plan on using this blog as headquarters to shop my closet for clothing and accessories in need of new homes. But at the same time, I am starting anew. From now on, I will be blogging at my new home, Clearance Couture. It is my sincere hope that you will follow me there and once again bookmark me so we can keep in touch! Clearance Couture will be fairly similar to Orphaned Apparel, in that I will focus on posting my daily outfits and sharing my money-saving tips, only I will be updating much more frequently than before. For starters, I'll be adding about a week's worth of posts from Orphaned Apparel to Clearance Couture; a "greatest hits," if you will, of my favorite outfits and most successful shopping trips. I'll also be using Twitter to instantly inform you of amazing sales and discounts as I find them. Let's get to saving!

ClearanceCouture.com

Versace for H&M

2011-10-23T04:18:00.001-05:00

How freaking fabulous is the upcoming Versace for H&M collaboration?! Set to hit stores November 17, it looks like a spot-on recreation of Versace's wonderfully gaudy glam aesthetic. There are quite a few pieces calling my name, but the price tags are still too steep for this budgetista. ($299 for the leather dress, for example.) I'll just have to live vicariously through the lovely ladies who buy and blog their purchases! I'm almost hoping for another Missoni for Target-esque fiasco so I'm not tempted to snatch up a $40 pillow. I've been obsessed with that neon Asian-inspired print since the pre-fall 2010 collection, so the urge is certainly strong. You can view the entire collection of clothing, accessories and housewares here. See anything you'll be trampling your fellow shoppers for?

Best of both worlds

2011-10-10T21:52:00.001-05:00

$4 acid wash denim

$8 garden party-ready dresses

God bless the clearance rack!

End of Summer

2011-09-24T02:39:00.002-05:00

It's been a fun week, and the perfect weather has made it even better. I spent an afternoon strolling around the Country Club Plaza, drooling over Burberry coats and scarves in the process. If you're ever in Kansas City, I definitely recommend checking it out. It's a gorgeous outdoor shopping district architecturally styled after Seville, Spain and full of fountains, sculptures and fabulous stores. Anyone who gives the Midwest a bad rap has clearly never spent some time browsing through Burberry, Betsey Johnson and Michael Kors at the Plaza! I also spent an evening moseying through the crowd at Lee Summit's Oktoberfest, and a night running from ghouls at Worlds of Fun's Halloween Haunt. Mornings and nights are actually feeling chilly, which is a welcome change after the nonstop heat and humidity of the past summer. This week has also brought about some highly successful shopping trips. Speaking of which, summer sandals are down to $5 at Payless, even if they're tagged more than that. Time to stock up for next year!

This is an outfit I wore for running errands and doing some birthday shopping. I thought the plain white tank helped offset the dressier, sequined skirt and was glad to take my latest shoe clearance purchase out for a test drive. They're a keeper!

National tank, CVS, $2
New York & Company skirt, gift
Simply Vera Wang sandals, Kohl's, $20

Outfit total: $22

Coveting: Alexander McQueen Scarf.

2011-09-17T15:35:00.005-05:00

If I were ever to go on an out-of-character style splurge, an Alexander McQueen scarf might just be the item to cause it. With the designer's official website offering plenty of silk chiffon decked out in skull, leopard, tweed and Union Jack prints, and UK-based Cruise with a variety of skull scarves as well, it's a tempting idea! What a fun touch one would add to any cozy, autumn outfit. What's your fantasy fall purchase?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. As with all content on Orphaned Apparel, all thoughts are my own.

LC Lauren Conrad Fall 2011 Lookbook.

2011-08-24T15:25:00.000-05:00

Lauren Conrad's line for Kohl's has released its fall lookbook, and it's once again full of frilly, feminine pieces peppered with pastels, polka dots and florals. Stand-out include a pink colorblock dress, pleated chiffon skirt, red polka dot dress and animal print ballet flats. See anything you'll be keeping an eye on?

There are also some other pieces available online, like these colorful capris, charcoal bowed booties and gray laceless oxfords.

Christian Siriano Gold Collection.

2011-08-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

To say that my jaw dropped over Christian Siriano's latest Payless collection would be an understatement. It practically came unhinged. I'm still kicking myself over missing out on his awesome gold-heeled Mena boot from last fall, and it looks like redemption may be in order because sweet baby Jesus, do I need that Harness boot in my life. With a black, olive and gold color palette accented by faux snakeskin and fuzzy fabric, this is a collection I'm definitely eager to see in stores. Here's hoping nobody beats me to it again!

Kohl's Clearance + 99¢ Shipping.

2011-06-03T15:41:00.002-05:00

It's a great time to snatch up some crazy shoe steals at Kohl's! From summer sandals to platform clogs to wedge booties; Simply Vera Wang to Elle to Candie's, the variety and prices are terrific! And to make it even better, shipping is currently only 99¢ per item! You might want to check out your local store as well. I was able to get the Vera Wang Richter heels for $14 at my store, instead of the $21 online price. Happy shopping!

LEFT TO RIGHT:
Simply Vera Wang Eden Peep-Toe Ankle Boots: originally $79.99, now $15.99
Simply Vera Wang Zeus Peep-Toe Wedge Booties: originally $79.99, now $15.99
Simply Vera Wang Rath Platform Wedges: originally $74.99, now $29.99
Simply Vera Wang Richter Peep-Toe Platform High Heels: originally $69.99, now $20.99

LEFT TO RIGHT:
Candie's Tassel Fringe Flip-Flops: originally $22, now $6.60
Elle Ilona Platform Clogs: originally $59.99, now $23.99
Elle Libbie Peep-Toe Platform Wedges: originally $64.99, now $19.49
Apt. 9 Addisen Peep-Toe Booties: originally $64.99, now $19.49

Follow me...

Spring 2011.

2011-03-08T13:42:00.003-06:00

LC Lauren Conrad Trench Coat, $58 | Simply Vera Vera Wang Floral Satin Shift Dress, $47 | LC Lauren Conrad Faux-Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $54 | LC Lauren Conrad Floral Ruffle Chiffon Dress, $45

While spring 2011 may have been officially declared the season of bright, vibrant colors, my own personal trend report is currently craving pastels and lots of them! With my mind anxiously gearing up for outfits that don't require a multitude of layers, what I'm hoping to find when I go digging through my closet is mint green, peach, nude and dainty florals. What is your spring fashion going to look like?

Savings: $708.06.

2011-03-05T20:41:00.002-06:00

Heads-up to anyone with a JCPenney nearby: you may want to scamper on over to your local store for some early (or late) winter coat shopping. Yesterday, I plucked three beautiful *heavy* military-style wool coats from the clearance rack and made my closet their home. Regularly priced at $250, they were each on sale for ... wait for it ... $20! Plus I had a 30% off coupon, which meant I paid only $14 per coat and my receipt shows $708 in savings. They also had some brightly colored wool pea coats for $20, and they're handing out coupons at the door if you don't already have one, so this is a sale you definitely don't want to miss!

There are also a couple of colors in a very select few sizes left online, but these are currently priced at $45.

Rachel Bilson's Edie Rose Home.

2011-02-15T21:40:00.001-06:00

I was just in the process of writing up a post about Rachel Bilson when The Budget Babe posted about Rachel's just-launched Edie Rose Home tabletop collection for Macy's. Birds, butterflies, flowers, feathers and the most stunning aqua adorn the various bowls and plates. Isn't everything just gorgeous? My favorites are the rose-shaped measuring cups, peacock teapot and bird salt n' pepper shakers. You can view the entire collection here. Do you have a favorite piece?

Savings: $621.98.

2011-02-05T09:34:00.002-06:00

You know how in the months leading up to Christmas, Andy Williams is constantly serenading us through the TV about how it's the most wonderful time of the year? That's an outright lie, because this is the most wonderful time of the year. It's truly exquisite timing that my birthday happens to fall in January, when sale stickers read 90% off. ("Don't know what to get me? Take me clearance shopping!") If you haven't experienced this blissful bargain hunting season, you really must dive in and see for yourself. I recommend hitting up your favorite stores often throughout January and February. With unwanted Christmas presents being returned, you have the opportunity to score some absolutely insane steals, but clearly inventory will be extremely limited. Nearly everything in this post was the sole one on the rack. I even held off heading for the dressing room when I spotted a clerk restocking some go-backs. It may be obsessive, but my stalkerish behavior ended up paying off. Anyway, since I've about exhausted the clearance racks, here's what I tracked down this year.

You may remember my post about my first January excursion, spent successfully chasing down the shoes that I'd been eyeing for months at Kohl's, here. A few days after that, I trekked to a Kohl's a few more miles away and had some spectacular luck there, too. The best part was that I still had that 30% off coupon! The first photo shows the $130 Chaps blazer that I got for $9.10 plus a Chaps striped shirt that only set me back $3.15. Next up, a pair of Simply Vera Wang velvet leggings for $4.20, an Elle lace-trimmed floral skirt for $3.08 and some capri leggings for $1.40.

I found this Pink Floyd thermal in the men's department, but almost put it back since it was marked $9. In the end, I decided to "splurge" and turned out, it was tagged wrong anyway. It rang up $3, and with my discount coupon, was just $2.10. Also got a couple of scratch n' sniff tees in the boy's department to use for sleepwear ($3 for the Peeps, $4 for the Tootsie Roll).

And finally, this Apt. 9 bootie was just $10.70. It was the only pair I was looking for that had escaped me during my shoe shopping a few days earlier, and this pair was the only pair left in the store. And they were in my size!

9 items.
Cost: $41.01.
Savings: $390.99.
Average: $4.55 an item.

Several weeks after that was my birthday, and I figured I'd best enjoy the day tracking down some more bargains. (Yes, I'm sick.) So on the 28th, I discovered the JCPenney clearance extravaganza. Entire racks full of merchandise marked $2.97? That stomps all over what my local Salvation Army is pricing their stuff at!

All four items below were $2.97 each. Left to right: Worthington pleat sleeve print top, Worthington belted tunic, American Living skirt and Olsenboye polar fleece flyaway.

Last but not least, I found this Olsenboye plaid messenger bag for $4.97.

5 items.
Cost: $16.85.
Savings: $213.00.
Average: $3.37 an item.

I also snatched up some $5 Airwalks at Payless.

On that note, I will be attempting a year-long break from shopping ... or at least until the end-of-season summer clearance. Time to put the plastic away and style these babies!

Also, I've been fiddling with the html of my about page for the past few days and have added some features to basically make it Orphaned Apparel headquarters. In addition to my little bio and herd of links, there are boxes that display my most recent photos and blog entries, plus the albums, books and movies that I've recently experienced and recommend. Also embedded in the page is my last.fm radio station, which plays all my favorite songs, from indie rock to novelty pop to classical. I'm sure I'll be tweaking it over the next few weeks, but I'm thrilled that now, after feeling like all my sites and profiles were a tangle of loose ends, I have one spot that everything branches off from. Please check it out here!

I've recently added a few branches to this digital web, as I've just joined Formspring, Boutiques and Goodreads. If you have accounts at any of these places, please either leave your link(s) in a comment or add me and I'll return the favor. You can also find me (brace yourself!) at Bloglovin', Chicisimo, Chictopia, Facebook, Flickr, Last.fm, Lookbook, MySpace, Polyvore, Rate Your Music, Twitter and Weardrobe.

The Flying Squirrel.

2011-02-02T23:46:00.001-06:00

Full of gorgeous colors, floaty draping and ingenious inspiration, young&restless' spring/summer 2011 collection is an imaginative gem. The visual equivalent of "a flying squirrel landing in an urban cityscape," Ashburn Eng's designs manage to feel utterly organic despite their angular metropolitan construction. Don't they just look like they'd feel fabulous as well?

Favorite Photographers: Lara Jade.

2011-01-30T02:50:00.002-06:00

I've featured several photographers on this blog and figured it was time to spotlight another! London-based Lara Jade Coton is another one of my favorite visual artists. Getting her start as a teenager by posting self portraits on Flickr and DeviantArt, attention came quickly, including from a company that illegally used one of her photos on the cover of a pornographic DVD. Did I mention that the photo was taken when she was 14? Lara sued and, after several years, won her case. Now a professional fashion photographer (and just 21!), I must admit that I prefer the dark, crumbling fairytale mood of her earlier work to the more beauty-focused magazine editorials she's helmed as of late. Still, there's no denying her vision or talent. Find her online at larajade.co.uk. And now, behold the gorgeousness...

Step 1: admit you have a problem. Step 2: buy more.

2011-01-14T17:53:00.002-06:00

It arrived. Kohl's January end-of-the-season shoe clearance, which I anticipate religiously, has come and gone, delivering my best haul to date and shattering my previous savings record. Call me crazy (I know I am), but this day is MY DAY. Two whole aisles of boxes marked with lovely little 80% off stickers ... oh, it's a beautiful thing. On top of that, I was armed with a 30% off coupon. In the end, I left with five pairs of shoes and a receipt that says I saved $438. Heaven.

It seems every post (and Tweet) I compose has Kohl's mentioned in it somewhere. I swear I should be that store's official blogger or something.

Simply Vera Wang Iso bootie

Candie's Ravenna boot

Elle Ilona clog

Candie's Carin clog

Elle Maddy heels

Let's kick off the week with some prettiness.

2011-01-10T15:47:00.001-06:00

This photo from V Magazine's "New Direction" editorial inspired an instant internet search for these designers' work. I'll let the pretty pictures do the talking.

Mary Katrantzou fall 2009

Mary Katrantzou spring 2010

Mary Katrantzou fall 2010

Mary Katrantzou spring 2011

Carven spring 2011

top row: Risto spring 2011 / bottom row: Holly Fulton spring 2011

There's a fire starting in my heart.

2011-01-07T17:19:00.002-06:00

Since I've gotten several requests for a closet tour, an extremely photo-heavy wardrobe walk-through will be posted shortly. 'Til then, here's a little sneak peek. This was my Christmas Eve outfit, and just a bit chilly when the car broke down on the way to a party. Thankfully, I was rescued quickly!

LC Lauren Conrad lace cardigan, Kohl's, $10
Elle lace dress, Kohl's, $12
Candie's studded mary janes, Kohl's, $10

Song of the day:

2010.

2010-12-21T01:09:00.003-06:00

How is it possible that another year is coming to a close? It seems like no time at all that I was composing my 2009 year-end thoughts and wishing that I had been more successful in posting regularly. Though 2010 certainly didn't find me updating nearly as much as I would have liked, I'm happy that I did have a semi-regular pattern going until I went on vacation in the fall. 2011 will be the year where I manage more than one post per week!

So how will I remember 2010? Hopefully, for its great moments. Eleven days spent journeying across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Seeing the ocean for the first time. Standing seaside and hearing its intimidating roar. Throwing back the curtains of my motel on the beach and discovering that the view could never be matched. Beachcombing for shells and rescuing a few fish along the way. Making new seagull and stingray friends. Spotting bears and chickens by the highway. Watching cotton fields fly by. Winding, scenic Smoky Mountain drives. Fighting back tears when it was all over.

Visiting the Payless ShoeSource website and actually having to hit the back button as it slowly dawned on me that I'd just seen myself on the home page. Laughing so hard I was crying on the Octopus at Worlds of Fun. Being gifted practically a store's worth of amazing clothes. Converting my master bedroom into a walk-through closet and doing some of the best damn bargain shopping of my illustrious bargain hunting life. There's nothing like spending $34 and having your receipt say that you saved $300. (Thanks, Kohl's!)

Never growing tired of double rainbows, bed intruders and laddergoats. Afternoons spent discovering my town's historic locations, evenings comprised of popcorn and Netflix, and nights full of image editing and html-ing. Photo shoots at mansions. Strolls through cemeteries. Yup, it was a good year.

Merry Christmas to you. I leave you with a few of my favorite songs of '10 and a visual recap of my first full year of blogging. Who's ready for 2011?!

Merry Christmas to me!

2010-12-09T13:26:00.001-06:00

Had a great day buying myself Christmas presents. And I don't care how narcissistic that sounds. Merry Christmas to me!

P.S. My first batch of eBay auctions end this evening, so be sure and check 'em out!

Christian Siriano print purse; Icing by Claire's houndstooth bag

Airwalk two-tone sneakers

American Eagle houndstooth flats

Topsy's cinnamon popcorn

$9.99 sale!

2010-12-03T08:43:00.000-06:00

Orphaned Apparel's current stock of shirts is now on sale for $9.99 each at eBay! Cozy sweaters, lacey blouses, boho tunics and plenty of options for any animal lover, there's something for everyone. Auctions end December 9, so pick up a Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one today! :)

Purple Puppy Parade Sweater, Pink Happy Cat Sweater

Brown Duck Print Blouse, Red Western Bandana Shirt

Black Bohemian Tunic, Orange Embroidered Tunic

Teal Block Stripe Sweater, Pink Paisley Sweater

White Floral Embroidered Blouse, Pink Lace Blouse

Happy December!

2010-12-01T05:50:00.002-06:00

WOW. So it's been a while, huh? Sorry for my abrupt and extended absence. I've been distracted by the sights below. I'll be back to the swing of things starting NOW! Here's to the roar of the ocean, cotton fields, scenic Smoky Mountain drives, beachcombing, sand dunes, fish rescues, bears by the highway, chickens on the road and making new seagull and stingray friends.

Worlds of Fun!

2010-09-30T13:45:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend, I went to my local amusement park, Worlds of Fun, for the first time in over a decade. I grew up on this park, visiting who knows how many times thanks to years of the family having season passes, but eventually burnt out on it and moved on, completely forgetting about it. When an almost trip to Ohio and the world famous Cedar Point didn't happen this summer, I was excited to finally go back to my old stomping grounds. No one has ever been more prepared. I spent weeks scouring YouTube for videos, reading online reviews, staring at maps and just generally getting about excited as a kid again. After weekends of anxiously waiting for the weather to cooperate, I finally headed for the park on September 25th. WoF's annual Halloween Haunt spectacular was in full swing that day, leaving the park open until 1 am, so I was completely prepared to arrive at the 11 am open and stay 'til close. I figured I'd ride everything during the day, then again at night and eventually maybe make the rounds through the 10 haunted houses.

My first coaster of the day was the new-in-2009 Prowler, voted best new ride in the world at last year's Amusement Today awards. To put it mildly, it was not what I was expecting. Three times during the ride, my head was jerked back and I could not get it back up. I was practically staring at the sky for half of the ride. In one word, painful. Part of me wishes there was video of my ride, because it'd be hilarious, but the other part of me is relieved that there isn't, because it'd be humiliating. I exited the ride in a state of shock, because I had heard no one mention the Prowler being anything but amazing.

The first thing that happens ... the last thing I saw.

The temperature dropped and it started raining while I waited in line for Mamba, but after my torturous Prowler experience, I kinda figured that this one wasn't going to be much fun either, so why let a little rain deter me? Not gonna lie: when I was staring down that 205-foot drop from the front seat, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with that damn ride. YouTube's on-ride videos don't even begin to do the experience justice! And after that ridiculous first drop, I couldn't even tell you much about the ride beyond the sensation of being shot with an unending supply of tiny ice bullets. Let me tell you, when you're barreling 70 mph through rain in 50-some degree weather, it hurts! But I survived, if a bit dazed and disappointed that the roller coasters I'd been anticipating for weeks were in reality not my kind of fun. They're definitely an entirely different beast from the ones I remember riding in the '80s and '90s!

Honestly, this looks much less dramatic than it felt.

Something I discovered almost instantly is that every ride that's been in the park long enough for me to be familiar with has been amped up since my last visit. In most cases, that was a very good thing. The Viking Voyager sloshes through the water much faster than it used to (and that water is no longer as green and sticky as it used to be) and the Scrambler is actually fairly thrilling rather than simply relaxing. But Cyclone Sam's, what used to be one of my very favorites, now makes me nauseous! Following that ride, I actually had to cut the day short because of my churning stomach. Talk about making me feel old!

But if it sounds like my day was just a series of disappointments, it wasn't! The Octopus and Scrambler had me laughing so hard I was crying, the Sea Dragon provided plenty of that exhilarating weightless feeling and Fury of the Nile was even better than I remember, barring the fact that the waterfall was running on a fairly chilly day. Even the Fjörd Fjärlane and Flying Dutchman, the non-eventful circular rides that I used to find lame, were a blast. I didn't make it to a few rides since the puke fear set in, but overall it was an amazing, if unexpected, day. I'm already dying to go back!

Clockwise from top left: Flying Dutchman, Sea Dragon, Fury of the Nile, Zulu.

So has anyone else ever had the same "frozen" neck experience on a ride? Or do I just have the weakest neck in the world?

Coaster photos courtesy of Worlds of Fun; collage photos courtesy of flee the cities.

I am ... am I?

2010-09-25T01:10:00.002-05:00

Did anyone else get into the whole iamamiwhoami mystery earlier this year? The viral video campaign that launched on YouTube with a series of short, cryptic music videos featuring a woman whose vocals were unintelligible and face was obscured inspired countless hours of online debate between intrigued viewers, including some mind-blowingly indepth analysis of what it all could mean. Speculation over the identity of the woman led much of the video dissection, with popular guesses including Christina Aguilera, Goldfrapp, Lady Gaga, Little Boots and The Knife. Although no official announcement of any kind has ever been released, it's pretty much now accepted that Swedish singer/songwriter Jonna Lee is the voice and face behind the project.

It's odd how, nearly a year after its debut, there's been no obvious effort to take the hype and run with it. Yes, links were sent to various media websites at the beginning and some of iamamiwhoami's songs can be purchased from iTunes. But there's no flashing pre-order button or coming soon blurb. No album release date. No artist unveiling. I've probably just jinxed it and by tomorrow, a run-of-the-mill label-backed website with go live. But at this moment, some ten months since the first video was uploaded, it feels like a vision brought to life for no other reason than creating it. Conceptualizing thirteen videos worth of story and music without seeking out a moment of credit? That's ... uncommon, to put it mildly.

Luly Yang.

2010-09-22T12:13:00.002-05:00

I love Luly Yang's monarch dress so much that the above artwork is hanging at the end of my hall. It was her very first design and is now the trademark dress from the Seattle designer.

Atelier Versace fall 2010.

2010-09-11T17:40:00.004-05:00

Every new Atelier Versace collection makes me wish I had a red carpet to walk somewhere.

August adoptees.

2010-08-31T22:26:00.004-05:00

Rue 21 Alexander McQueen knock offs

Icing by Claire's houndstooth scarf, Payless ShoeSource houndstooth purse

Apt. 9 studded ombre tunic; Hang Ten striped zip-back top

COEXIST by Cannon houndstooth blanket, pillow, storage cube and pillow cases

It was a good month. :)

Shop sneak peek!

2010-08-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

This week, I decided to offer a bit of a "sneak peek" at Orphaned Apparel's new headquarters by updating the site with 10 tops. Be sure to check out the new orphanedapparel.com for one-of-a-kind sweaters, tunics and blouses. I, of course, only have one of each, so don't let someone beat you to it!

Puppy Parade Sweater, Happy Cat Sweater

Duck Print Blouse, Western Bandana Shirt

Black Bohemian Tunic, Orange Embroidered Tunic

Block Stripe Sweater, Pink Paisley Sweater

Floral Embroidered Blouse, Pink Lace Blouse

Autumn mood board.

2010-08-24T01:27:00.002-05:00

Photos: Vogue, Forever 21, Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, Christopher Kane

Favorite Photographers: Laura Taylor.

2010-08-18T15:39:00.003-05:00

After a string of nauseatingly hot summer days, yesterday was heaven. A high in the 70s, with an overcast sky and a cool breeze, has never felt better. This year's unrelenting sticky, humid summer has made me realize that I appreciate this season best when it's in photographic form, particularly when shot by Laura Taylor. I've been a fan of her work for about four years now, and though she's gradually gravitated away from the still life subject matter that I originally came to love, her use of natural light captures summer as the hazy, golden wonderland that you dream about. In this world, ice cream cones never melt, there are no consequences for sprawling in the grass amidst the chiggers and you exist illuminated in a lovely, lens-flared glow. Visit Laura online at thedarlinglife.com or on her blog laurataylor.tumblr.com.

A happy kitchen.

2010-08-18T12:09:00.003-05:00

Ever since CSN sent me the adorable pouch that I was admiring, I've been browsing through their many (over 200!) online stores. Since I'm still in need of some cookware, the rainbow-colored selection of Le Creuset quickly caught my eye. Wouldn't these make for one bright and cheery kitchen? It'd be like having summer in your cupboards year-round! I absolutely love the Caribbean blue, Cassis purple and Kiwi green colors. I'll admit that I'm certainly not the most domestic person on the planet, but I'm willing to bet that hauling out lilac, flame orange and cherry red pots and pans would inspire a bit more cooking in my home!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. As with all content on Orphaned Apparel, all thoughts are my own.

Snow White's stitching up the circuit boards...

2010-08-09T14:14:00.003-05:00

This will be my last confession
"I love you" never felt like any blessing
Whisper it like it's a secret
Uttered to condemn the one who hears it with a heavy heart...

So I randomly stumbled upon the news that my favorite musical discovery of last year, Florence + the Machine, is nominated four times at this year's VMAs, including for the big one: video of the year. Surely you can imagine my disbelief that someone I actually enjoy was being recognized by MTV ... and then came the realization that each nomination is for the "Dog Days Are Over" video. Ah yes, that makes much more sense. Of course the worst thing Florence Welch has ever been involved with is what they applaud her for! I've been planning to feature Florence for a while now, and after learning that some people might be introduced to her through this subpar video, figured I should jump in and prevent a possible tragedy from happening. Whatever you do, do not judge her and her debut album, Lungs, based off of the obnoxiously-wigged blue people!

The kind of writer to pen a tale about ritual sacrifice when asked by her label to come up with something happier, with Lungs, Miss Welch has designed dark, labyrinthine pop that gracefully coils around her theatrical tendencies and soaring, soulful vocals. One glance at the titles ("Kiss with a Fist," "Girl with One Eye," "My Boy Builds Coffins") would accurately suggest that Lungs' songs are collectively concentrated on violence, death and destruction. Following Lungs' 2009 release, she contributed a new song to the Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack. Say what you will about that film series, but the soundtracks are always fantastic, and FatM's song is a standout.

If I had to describe Welch's style in one word, I'd use movement. Though I know very little about her besides her music creations and fashion choices, through photos, she just strikes me as someone who would have a very hard time sitting still, both literally and stylistically. Dramatic, understated, romantic, edgy, dressy, casual ... she does it all. And though she loves her flowing gowns, sequins, feathers and short shorts, I think she's willing to try (and pull off) just about anything. Talented, adventurous and eclectic ... that's Florence Welch!

All I want for Christmas is a gypsy caravan.

2010-08-04T06:28:00.002-05:00

I stumbled upon Jeanne Bayol's work in a magazine and was instantly on inspiration overload. A French writer and interior designer, she also restores gypsy caravans, drenching them in bright colors, lush fabrics and layer upon layer of incredible textures. I love the warmly lit cocoon-like atmosphere that these interiots elicit, and the relaxed, carefree exteriors just scream freedom. I've been planning to decorate my living room with a Moroccan-inspired vibe, and though I prefer their richer hues of burgandy, gold and rust to the neon pink, green and orange that are prevalent with the wagons here, there's just oodles to take in and think about when it comes to drawing personal decorating inspiration from these photos. I would love to track down one of Bayol's books, Les Roulottes and Vivre Bohème, but a quick Google search seemed to say that they're fairly hard to come by.

Bayol's own home ain't too shabby either...

Photos courtesy of Eclectric Gipsyland @ Flickr, Living Inside and Interior Divine.

It has to end to begin.

2010-08-01T05:32:00.004-05:00

Another gift from my awesome family member, you can imagine how excited I was when I found these Alice + Olivia shorts in one of the many bags she dropped off. Unfortunately, they are a bit too big on me and will probably wind up for sale on Orphaned Apparel. I've been working like crazy to get the website ready for relaunch, which I will of course post about when the time comes.

So a random magazine offer in the mail got me wondering ... what magazines do you guys subscribe to or read regularly? Anything you'd recommend? I haven't picked up a magazine in forever and need to know what I'm missing!

The Limited shirt, thrifted, $2
Alice + Olivia shorts, gift
SO tank, Kohl's, $3
Nine West pumps, Gordman's, $10
Apt. 9 necklace, Kohl's, $12
silver Charlotte Russe bangle set, $2
black bracelets, gift

Song of the day:

Drowning here in summer's cauldron.

2010-07-29T16:04:00.008-05:00

Summer, I hate to do this to you, but you're on notice. It used to be cute how you'd entice all the lightning bugs and butterflies to come out, and I could put up with your crap because the season meant summer vacation, swimming pools, thunderstorms and barbecues. But now, with your steadfast determination to soak every outfit with sweat the moment I open my front door, your appeal is growing thin. Either start acting like your better-behaving seasons, or ... well, okay, I haven't figured out this part yet. But just do it! And you can take your mosquitoes with you.

Anyway, decided to stay in with my buddy the air conditioning and try out my new shoe purchase. I've been on the lookout for this Chinese Laundry "Hint" style for a while now, and when they popped up on eBay for $35, decided to splurge. Considering the ones listed now are $70, $90 and $105, and not in my size, I'm a happy camper! I absolutely love this BCBG top, and it's the first of many things that I got when a family member decided to downgrade her closet and give me what she didn't want. I still need to post about that! The photos are insane: living room covered in clothes-filled trash bags, kitchen and bedroom coated in stacks of garments. Of course, not everything worked out for me, so Orphaned Apparel has a ton of new merch headed its way soon.

BCBGMAXAZRIA tunic, gift
Xhilaration leggings, Target, $6
SO tank, Kohl's, $3
Chinese Laundry shoes, eBay, $35
Charlotte Russe bangle set, $2

Song of the day:

(Skylarking is THE best summertime album.)

Hear the desert sigh, sing the city's lullaby...

2010-07-27T14:48:00.005-05:00

And life is so much dark and light
When day cannot exist without a night
And you are not separate from me
I am a heart that's full of life...

One of my favorite musical discoveries of 2010 has been the haunting art pop of Bat for Lashes, created by the inimitable Natasha Khan. With two albums under her belt ( 2006's Fur and Gold and 2009's Two Suns) and the likes of Thom Yorke, Björk, M.I.A., Ringo Starr and Matt Bellamy singing her praises, the realm she constructs forces me into using all sorts of cliché descriptive words like mystical, otherworldly and atmospheric. Paired with her hypnotic folktronica is a vibrant, free spirited style that regularly displays Khan's affinity for headdresses, headbands, feathers, sequins, bold prints and crayola-colored make-up. Although she's been known to incorporate more casual attire like tees and hoodies into her outfits (for proof, just check out her video for "Daniel"), her overall look is anything but shrinking violet. With her visionary sound and an everything but the kitchen sink approach to fashion, Natasha Khan has me impatiently awaiting album #3.

All you say is "blah blah."

2010-07-23T14:16:00.008-05:00

The afternoon was spent inside, watching a fairly torrential rainstorm pass through. Here's a little peek at what my kitchen looks like so far. Attempting to create a bistro feel, hence the bistro table and chairs and faux vintage artwork. What's that you say? When you think "bistro," you don't also think "owls?" Well then, you've never been to MY bistro before, have you?! ;)

Now on to the outfit... The tank was purchased back in middle school and I've worn it so little that it still looks brand new. The skirt is a fairly recent purchase that I absolutely adore. I love tiered skirts, and I love lace, so how could I resist? The boots and jewelry are all from Charlotte Russe. I actually didn't realize how Charlotte Russe-d up I was until I went to list the credits. I definitely have developed a pattern of scouring the clearance section of their website looking for jewelry bargains.

A. Byer tank, The Jones Store Co., ?
Joe Benbasset skirt, JCPenney, $14
Charlotte Russe boots, $20
Charlotte Russe bangle set, $2
Charlotte Russe rings, $4 each

Song of the day:

Thanks, CSN!

2010-07-21T11:38:00.001-05:00

Remember several weeks ago when I blogged about those awesome Thomas Paul home furnishings and accessories? The nautical, under the sea and carousel creature themes? The mp3 case with a gramophone on it? Well, CSN Stores contacted me and offered to send out a product of my choice. After *much* deliberation, I finally settled on the Matryoshka Pouch. Man, am I glad they contacted me. It's absolutely adorable! It's going to make the best make-up bag and occasionally clutch. Does it get any cuter than ultra surprised Russian nesting dolls? I think not.

Itty bitty prettyness.

2010-07-18T19:40:00.007-05:00

In case you missed the New York Times article, let me introduce you to the cutest little living space ever. An old 9-by-14-foot hunting cabin renovated and furnished for $3000, it belongs in a fairy tale. Shouldn't there be fairies or Disney princesses in these photos?

With my heart ticking like a bomb in a birdcage...

2010-07-12T02:55:00.005-05:00

I wrote the words to the swan song
The author of the wrong
And I said what I said and I meant it
But now I regret it.

I've mentioned Alison Sudol, aka A Fine Frenzy, on this blog before, but figured she deserved a proper fashion spotlight like I gave Pip Brown last year. While Brown finds her clothes exclusively in the men's department, Sudol, with her ultra-feminine style, is on the other end of the spectrum. A fan of lace and bright colors, though plaid and a black-and-white color palette pop up regularly, she lists Marianne Faithfull, Jane Birkin, Edie Sedgwick, Diane Keaton, Coco Chanel, Katherine Hepburn, the Rolling Stones, ballerinas, sailors, dolls, old notebooks and the Victorian era as some of her style influences.

As far as her music goes, A Fine Frenzy specializes in beautiful and sometimes whimsical piano-led ballads interspersed with the occasional mid-tempo pop ditty. And while her debut is undeniably gorgeous, it occasionally veers into cutesy territory. With her 2009 follow-up, those precious tendencies are, for the most part, put away. The songs are just as delicate and vulnerable as before, but Sudol's improved lyricism grounds them. You can stream both of her albums, One Cell in the Sea and Bomb in a Birdcage, on MySpace Music. Scroll past the photos below to hear a few of my favorite songs.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-03T20:38:00.002-05:00

I'm back from my awesome but swelteringly hot vacation and ready to celebrate my independence. With the smell of firecracker smoke in the air, I wish you a 4th of July full of family, food and fireworks. I know mine will be! Keep the pets inside and don't get your fingers blown off! The blog and I will be back in the swing of things in a day or two. Setting a mid-year resolution to post *much* more regularly. My non-blown-off fingers are crossed.

See you next week!

2010-06-22T16:41:00.002-05:00

Once again, I'm sorry for being such a lazy blogger lately. I've been busy with family reunions, decorating my first place and still trying to go through that giant mass of clothing that I recently acquired. I'm so excited with how my apartment is turning out. I'm going to have to post a tour here when I get it just right. I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but I actually turned the master bedroom into a closet. It's a good thing I'm such a bargain shopper, because holy crap, is that a lot of clothes! Anyway, I'll be on vacation for the rest of the week, so hopefully I can come back with a bunch of new photos and stories to share. Hint: I'm headed to the same town that, a few years ago, I took these photos in. I can't wait!

Buy a print, help the Gulf oil spill wildlife.

2010-06-10T14:38:00.003-05:00

As a nature lover, you can imagine just how devastating and infuriating the recent gulf oil spill has been. So for the month of June, 50% of the profits my print shop makes will go directly to the National Wildlife Federation's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. The money donated to this fund will go toward supporting NWF's immediate response and longer term on-the-ground work to safeguard wildlife affected by this tragedy. My most popular photo prints can be found and purchased now in my print shop, though every photo in my portfolio is included in this. If there is a photo you'd like to buy that is in my portfolio but not my shop, please email me or leave me a comment and I'll make sure you get it!

If my life is mine, what shouldn't I do?

2010-06-07T14:51:00.005-05:00

blue/black/gray Say What? striped dress, Kohl's, $6
black/white Airwalk sneakers, Payless ShoeSource, $15
blue/gray/black heart necklace, Claire's

I spent an amazing couple of days at the lake with family and am now back to the "real world." Bought this dress off the Kohl's clearance rack this past week and couldn't wait to try it out. I absolutely love it. Decided to pair it with some old sneakers and a necklace I've had since elementary school. The location is my front porch, so welcome to my humble abode! ;)

Song of the day:

My family's better than your family.

2010-05-30T04:15:00.002-05:00

Sorry that I've been absent from the blogging world for a few weeks. You know those silly, random "never gonna happen" daydreams you have about, say, walking into a thrift store and magically finding an amazing designer jacket just sitting there waiting for you? Or stumbling upon a garage sale only to find a slew of vintage dresses for next to nothing? Well, I'm currently living through one of those daydreams. A family member decided to downsize her closet and in the process, gave me everything she no longer wants. Which is a lot. I'm no longer living in an apartment, but rather a multi-room closet. Literally. Clothes are stacked up to the windowsills, I can no longer see the floor and I haven't been accomplishing much beyond trying clothes on and attempting to organize this unorganizable mass of wonderfulness. Anna Sui, Alice + Olivia, Saks Fifth Avenue, what seems like every New York & Company garment ever made ... it's basically better than the best fashion-related dream I could have ever cooked up in my head. I've had my camera out the whole time, documenting along the way, so expect a huge photo-laden post in the near future.

Anyway. Since much of my apartment is in need of finishing touches (although now that I'm living in my own personal clothing store, perhaps decorating is no longer an option...), a recent search for bar stools led me to discovering a designer I was previously unaware of. Thomas Paul's collections of assorted home goods is fabulous and so many pieces are begging me to hit the "order" button. I don't know about you, but pillows and totes decked out in Russian nesting dolls, various underwater creatures and lovely nautical seafaring designs belong in my living space! I love how the cell phone case features a vintage phone and the mp3 case has a gramophone on it. So cute!

Please follow me @ bloglovin.

Pretty wings and tiny faces.

2010-05-15T03:57:00.001-05:00

With the fabulous spring weather comes the return of tiny critters, and the fact that I've been seeing several butterflies a day for the past few days inspired this post. If you've read much of this blog at all, you can probably tell that I love fashion and music. My other passion, which I've strangely not discussed much up to this point, is photography. You can see my portfolio on my egotistically-named website, heatheryarnell.com. (Buy a print, feed a photographer! Haha.) Though I've become increasingly enamored with cemeteries, abandoned buildings and urban decay in general, my love for nature photography remains intact. In fact, butterflies are one of my very favorite subjects. There's nothing like spending an afternoon chasing a species you haven't yet captured to finally have it appease you by landing right on you. I love discovering their distinct personalities (skippers are incredibly friendly little creatures, while swallowtails tend to be extremely shy) and believe it or not, I get a bit of an adrenaline rush whenever I get shots in before my new friend flies off.

I've had people ask me to share tips on how to help them get better butterfly photos and though I wish that I had several amazing secrets to spill, my advice is simple: always approach slowly and quietly, have patience and don't get discouraged. They'll fly away just as you're about to take the photo, or worse yet, you'll think you got a great shot, come home, load your photos and find that's not the case. It'll happen, and happen a lot, but don't give up! You get what you give, and you might be surprised at your results if you keep at it. Don't let your equipment make you feel impaired in any way, shape or form either. I do have a digital SLR camera, but every one of my photos has been taken either with the kit lens or an $80 fixed focal 50mm. Once you've gotten a great photo, I recommend post-production work with image editing software or sites like picnik.com. Cropping your photo and making slight tweaks to the color and exposure can greatly improve the impact of a photo.

Shot over the course of summer '07 through summer '09, the little collection below includes an assortment of skippers, swallowtails, whites, sulphurs, gossamer-wing and brush-footed butterflies. Last year, unfavorable weather conditions ruined many eggs and put a large dent in the butterfly population, so I came away from 2009 with only a handful of new photos. Hopefully I can post in a few months with enough shots to make up for that disappointment!

A horse is a horse of course, of course.

2010-05-07T23:12:00.009-05:00

As a nature photographer, you can probably guess that one look at Mika Organic's spring/summer collection and I instantly fell in obsessive love. The 13 silkscreen-printed looks are creative without being costume-y and have such a natural, summer-ready presence. Here, sleeves are created with a horse's mane, a flamingo's wing and an elephant's trunk; dress necklines are shaped from a whale's tail and oryx's horns; and a tank's straps are formed from butterfly antennae. It's such an inventive way to incorporate nature into fashion.

This isn't the first time I've raved over critter-inspired fashion, and I have a faux vintage art print of a monarch-inspired dress hanging in my closet. Can't say I'm not consistent!

The clog craze.

2010-05-06T19:47:00.003-05:00

Considering how many pairs of clogs I've got collected in my closet, I should probably be thankful that they are considered "in" this season. I've had the first four pairs for years now, and the patchwork clogs in the last photo are thrift finds from the past year or so. I better get to wearin' 'em before everyone but me is once again over them!

I'm getting pretty sick of this interview.

2010-05-04T00:45:00.003-05:00

cream Fang lace blouse, thrifted, $1
gray Reality Check pinstripe pants, JCPenney, $5
black SO tank, Kohl's, $4
black Donna Lawrence ankle boots, thrifted, $1
gold multi-charm necklace, Gordman's, $2
black Candie's purse, Kohl's, $15

Though I've never been much of a fan of pointed toe footwear, I couldn't pass by these ankle boots that showed up at my local Salvation Army. How could I leave this practically brand new pair of shoes behind when I had a purse at home that pretty much matched them? I know, I know, matching your purse and your shoes is so passé, but I'm not going to pass up a potential pairing if it presents itself, especially at a bargain price. And you know, the style is not anywhere near as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. Or, at least, it felt that way until I came home after my first time wearing them to discover a bloody spot where the inner zipper had rubbed the skin off my leg. Isn't that just the best couple of sentences ever? "They're great other than the fact that they rip a hole through my skin!" Anyway, this time I wore them with an extra sock stuffed between my leg and the zipper. Problem solved! ;)

Song of the day:

Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that.

2010-05-02T13:26:00.003-05:00

orange/blue/white Derek Heart plaid shirt, Kohl's, $12
orange Arizona Jeans Company tee, JCPenney, ?
distressed Mudd blue jeans, Kohl's, $8
black buckle boots, Charlotte Russe, $35
brown Decree studded purse, JCPenney, $3

Decided to take some of my recent Kohl's clearance items out for their first wear. Paired my new plaid shirt and jeans with a tee I've had since elementary school, some of my favorite boots and a studded bag I stumbled upon in a $3 clearance rack at Penney's. It's a pretty quiet, laid back kind of day. Have just been editing photos and baby talking my cat, who is taking a nap behind me. I love when he grunts and groans in his sleep. Haha.

Song of the day:

Tidbits from the past week.

2010-04-27T22:00:00.004-05:00

The Kohl's clearance racks just never fail me. Spent two days helping my mom shop for a new wardrobe, and though she's the one who really needs new clothes, I came away with far more. $2 tights and belts? Scarves, gloves and Hello Kitty pjs marked 90% off? New jeans, new shorts, new shirts? Yes, yes and yes. I also really like several pieces from the new Lauren Conrad collection, but a sale price of $26? You know me. Those babies did not end up in my shopping cart.

Speaking of Kohl's, on Monday, I saw a Canadian goose sitting in the middle of the Lee's Summit Kohl's parking lot. Thought he was hurt, but turns out that he's half of a pair that chose a median in the lot for their nest. Kohl's has the median and surrounding parking spots taped off, and has food and water next to them. Kudos to you, Kohl's, for helping out those city-lovin' geese!

Glee's all-Madonna episode was possibly my favorite episode from them yet, and I wouldn't even consider myself much of a Madonna fan. At the very least, it was the most quotable hour they've ever had. "When I pulled my hamstring, I went to a misogynist." "I thought I smelled cookies wafting from the ovens of the little elves that live in your hair." "Look at their role models. You've got Britney Spears with her shaved head and Lindsay Lohan looking like something out of Lord of the Rings ... Ann Coulter."

Goal of the week: turn my mom into a Decemberists fan. Result: success! I spent the day playing her every album and though she wasn't crazy about their first two, she now loves The Hazards of Love, Picaresque and The Crane Wife. I'm gonna have to work on her with Castaways and Cutouts. ;)

I was fortunate enough to witness what surely must have been the best breaking news ever: "Someone was hurt somehow in some way." Thank you, KMBC, for cutting into Oprah with that fascinating report.

My new friend, mister jumping spider, introduced himself by literally following my mouse cursor around. As much as I can't get over my spider phobia, I can't help but love jumping spiders. They just seem so sweetly curious about everything. And it doesn't hurt that one of my favorite nature photographers, Haley Luna, captures that personality so brilliantly. I never thought I'd look at a photo of a spider and go "aawww!" until I saw her portfolio.

Salem wanted to learn about music history ...

... but soon realized that he found the slideshow on the back of his eyelids far more interesting.

How was your week?

Need new Uggs? I've got a discount for you!

2010-04-23T13:25:00.005-05:00

By now, I don't have to explain to you what Uggs are. The Ugg has so successfully trickled into our collective unconscious that its distinctive look has pretty much become universally known. Though lauded in particular for its comfort and thermostatic properties, we've all seen our favorite fashionistas like Kate Moss, Rachel Bilson, Keira Knightley and Kirsten Dunst snapped trotting around town in them, thereby notching this merino sheepskin boot a place on the fashion totem pole.

Since "suffering for fashion" is such a commonplace concept that you might think it's accepted and expected, you gotta love when comfort-minded folks say "not so fast!" I must admit, as much as I love my heeled boots, it's more than a tad crazy that there needs to be a time limit placed on certain shoes in my closet because after a period of time, they send me moaning and groaning to the nearest chair. I can't be the only one who's ended up hobbling through Target, convinced that I'm injured and trying to talk myself into the notion that using the floor in the middle of the aisle as a temporary chair would be completely appropriate.

Buyitrighthere specializes in the Whooga line of merino fleece ugg boots, available in a variety of colors in the classic tall, short, mini, weave and metallic styles. The website offers info on the history, myths and care of Uggs and will soon be expanding to include comfort-focused style guides. Know what the best part is? They're offering Orphaned Apparel readers a discount! Now through the end of April, the first 100 people to use the gift card code 227ORPHAN upon checkout will receive $30 off their already-on-sale prices! So hurry hurry hurry and scoop up your new Uggs!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. As with all content on Orphaned Apparel, all thoughts are my own.

Save your poison for a lover who is on your side.

2010-04-07T15:42:00.005-05:00

beige Fang shirt, thrifted, $1
beige SO tank, Kohl's, $3
army green pant, SO, Kohl's, $5
black Lower East Side lace-up boots, Payless ShoeSource, $3

Some more casual spring celebration, this time in my backyard with the neighbor's dog. This week, I've just been keeping busy working on websites: my music site Serendipity Media, its brand new blog and a new non-Etsy home for my vintage merch. Yesterday, I got the Shop Orphaned Apparel blog up, so be sure to bookmark it if you're interested in my future listings. I have one blouse up right now, but lots of beautiful things will soon follow.

Song of the day:

How'd you get to be happiness?

2010-03-31T17:47:00.005-05:00

beige Banana Republic tank dress, thrifted, $1
blue Todd Oldham embroidered denim jacket, The Jones Store Co., $4
black Lower East Side lace-up boots, Payless ShoeSource, $3

Weatherwise, this week has been absolutely wonderful. Whether overcast or sunny, it feels like spring has arrived. Bunnies are back to hopping around my backyard and yesterday I spotted both a worm-sized baby snake and a butterfly. Right now, I have the windows open and a lovely breeze is wafting though (and my cat is talking to the outdoor critters). Really, it's just perfect. As I type this, a couple of grackles are courting outside my window. Ah, nothing says spring like the return of horny birds! ;)

Yesterday I took a stroll through a local park. I fed some geese and ducks, took some photos and marveled at the fact that I dressed too warmly. Embroidered with flowers and birds, I purchased this Todd Oldham denim jacket for a couple of bucks when the Jones Store Company closed years ago. In my opinion, it's the perfect item to greet spring with.

Song of the day:

Bionic.

2010-03-25T12:59:00.001-05:00

I'm not a Christina stan by any means, but the cover for her upcoming album was released today and I just had to share it. You glance at the cover and think "Yeah, okay, she's a robot." But look again. Seriously, click on the image below to see the high quality version. The illustration on the right side is actually made up of music instruments, and peppered with little birds and personal details like the names of her husband and son. I just think it's an awesome image. And based on the info that she's worked with Ladytron, Santigold, Le Tigre, M.I.A., Goldfrapp and Sia, you bet I'm looking forward to seeing what she's come up with. At the very least, she's got a great cover.

Play dumb, play dead, play straight.

2010-03-16T02:22:00.004-05:00

black/white/pink ombre Fox Racing buffalo check shirt, eBay, $3
white/gray ombre SO tank, Kohl's, $5
black Le Tigre corduroy pant, JC Penney, $5
black Mudd boots, Kohl's, $12

One of my favorite ways to use up a free afternoon is to spend it wandering aimlessly though a cemetery. There are so many interesting things you can come across: a rotten tree stump that has sprouted a crown of tiny branches in its effort to re-grow, old stone stairways, crumbling mausoleums, patches of young wildflowers, a headstone for Dixie Chick... All things that I find interesting, anyway. I think the silence is quite appealing as well. It's so refreshing to be surrounded by nothing by the sounds of animals hopping through dried leaves and water trickling down a stream. I bet you'll be seeing lots of outfit posts with a cemetery backdrop.

I had a bit of an ombre overload on this day, though it's a bit hard to tell in these photos that the tank fades from white to gray. The plaid button-up I won a few weeks ago on eBay and the corduroys are a clearance find from this past week. I had actually been watching the PacSun website for this shirt to go on sale, so I was thrilled when it showed up on eBay, paired with this dip-dyed thermal. Two pieces for a fraction of what one is currently priced? Excellent!

Song of the day:

Warehouse Utility.

2010-03-14T19:31:00.007-05:00

Thanks to Annie Spandex's recent blog post, I'm absolutely hypnotized by Warehouse's new Utility collection. Those jackets, that macrame vest, the patchwork tank ... I can't even begin to pick out favorites pieces. Ah, I just love the wonderfully ramshackle.

There's a drumming noise inside my head that starts when you're around.

2010-03-11T15:19:00.004-06:00

pink A.M.I. jacket, thifted gift
black SO tank, Kohl's, $3
white/black/pink Express skirt, thrifted, $1
black ankle boots, Charlotte Russe, $20
gold/white 1928 pearl locket necklace, eBay, $2
black Xhilaration tights, Target, $2

Post-Academy Awards, I planned to do an obligatory awards show recap, but the Oscar fashion left me fairly underwhelmed overall and I never got inspired enough to get around to it.

Today was an errand day and I made the mistake of wearing these new boots for a "quick" Wal-Mart trip. I was regretting it after an hour and a half. I hate Wal-Mart, so I end up putting off any shopping there until my list is a mile long and it inevitably evolves into an all-day event. Note to self: do not wear heels when you know you'll end up walking a marathon. Anyway, it was worth it, because I found a couple clearance gems: a black corduroy blazer for $5 and a John Lennon tee for $3.

Song of the day:

(So utterly addicted to this album.)

Payless Shoes and ... me!

2010-02-26T04:07:00.007-06:00

It's quite a weird feeling to visit a website with the intent of checking for a sale only to be greeted by your image on their home page. It took my brain an embarrassing number of seconds to comprehend it. I actually had to hit the back button when it slowly dawned on me. "Wait a second. That looked like me. Oh, yeah, it is. That's me. On payless.com. Really. ... OMG!" I'd never submitted my photo for consideration and no one had told me, so surprised doesn't really begin to cover it. I'm so glad that I caught it. Ah, I love the internet. Thanks, Payless!

May 2008

Alice in Wonderland.

2010-02-25T20:45:00.007-06:00

Like many of you, I'm eagerly awaiting the March 5th release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. While playing around with polyvore this evening, I happened upon a cute Red Queen handbag, which resulted in me checking out its source: Disney's AiW store. Among the usual suspects of CDs and video games are some freakin' fantastic tees. I want the first one now.

front + back

Marchesa fall 2010.

2010-02-21T12:11:00.006-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. This week I've been distracted by the Olympics and an out of kilter sleeping schedule. But I have been watching the fall 2010 photos rolling in the past few days, and the collection that has best caught my attention is Marchesa's. Tattood nude netting, tiering tulle, flapper-esque feathers ... the dresses look so figure skater-ready that I'm already disappointed that Yu-Na Kim won't be gracing Olympic ice in one of them. My favorite is probably the blue one-shoulder dress, whose pinwheeling ruffles makes me think the collection was an ode to octopuses and the ocean instead of inspired by Lola Montez and the circus.

RIP McQueen

2010-02-11T12:17:00.011-06:00

It's news like this that you hate waking up to. I was going about my morning blog rounds when I saw Strutt had posted "RIP McQueen." My thoughts first naïvely jumped to "What? He's done designing?!" A few clicks later, and I was greeted with the headline "McQueen Commits Suicide" on nymag. And I just sat there with my mouth hanging open. What a loss. Since words are no doubt failing me at this moment, I'll celebrate what's left behind instead of mourn what's gone ahead. RIP, McQueen. Hope you've found what you're looking for.

Photos: nymag.com

Dreary birds parade across the dreary sky.

2010-02-08T17:38:00.009-06:00

blue vintage coat, thrifted, $5
burgandy City Streets studded tunic, JCPenney, $5
black MIA 2 shoes, Shoe Carnival, $35
black Xhilaration tights, Target, $2

If I had to describe the Vaile Mansion in one word it would be imposing. It's the star of the neighborhood and I swear it knows it. I guess it's used to the reactions of people driving down the street and suddenly shocked to have its looming presence dominating their view. This is one of the perks of living in Independence. History's survivors, both big and small, are everywhere. And as dramatic as the Vaile's exterior is, the interior probably comes pretty close to matching it: 31 rooms, 9 marble fireplaces, painted ceilings... Not too shabby, eh?

As far as thrifting finds go, this vintage coat is by far my favorite to date. And the absurd thing is, I actually walked out of the store without buying it. It was marked $20, but with a 75% off sale only a couple days away, how could I possibly not wait for the chance to get it for $5? I'm tellin' ya, bargain hunting breeds insanity. Lucky for crazy me, it was still there when I went back. In the left pocket, I found a small envelope with an extra button, an order slip with handwritten details (sapphire in color, Spanish lamb fur) and a $285 (!) price tag. It's definitely the warmest coat I've ever worn too. Notice how there isn't a single photo with my hands out of my pockets? That's not a pose. That's how I was 100% of the time there. Never have I walked around in 30 degree weather and been so comfortable. If only my shoes had kept my tootsies as warm!

Song of the day:

History books forgot about us and the Bible didn't mention us.

2010-02-04T10:41:00.012-06:00

black B Hip By Me Jane motorcycle jacket, Macy's, $45
blue Next Era striped tunic, Kohl's, $4
black Xhilaration leggings, Target, $6
black Wild Pair riding boots, thrifted, $1
gold Axcess multi-strand peace sign necklace, Kohl's, $3
black/gold bangle set, Charlotte Russe, $2

Song of the day:

Hello. My name is Heather and I'm a hermit.

2010-01-23T03:36:00.001-06:00

Wow, the combination of cold weather and my undying need to procrastinate just about turns me into a genuine hermit every winter. Thoughts often end in the conclusion "eh, I'll do it tomorrow when it might be warmer," and my daily view usually winds up something like this:

This past week, I did manage to make it out of the house to see "The Lovely Bones," a film I've been anxiously awaiting ever since reading the book last year. I also finally hit the January clearance racks, which resulted in me adopted some distressed demin, a few faux vintage band tees, a black drape-front buttonless cardigan and those studded heels I mentioned last month. For the past few days, I've been reorganizing my closets and in the process, have rediscovered some long-lost items of clothing. I gotta admit, when I'd hear people talk about shopping their closet and finding stuff they'd completely forgotten about, I couldn't imagine losing track of pieces of my wardrobe. I've always thought I had pretty much everything catalogued in my head, but lo and behold, at the bottom of a stack of pants sat some cruelly neglected tie-dye cords. And no, they're not as psychedelic as the mental image that sentence probably elicits. It's a very subtle mixture of blue and purple that I'm not even sure photos will pick up. Although, I do have some pretty trippy rainbow tights...

Anyway. I was going to give a little visual recap of my closet expedition, but my DSLR's best lens is a fixed focal 50mm, so shots wider than macro or portraiture are pretty much impossible unless taken from a distance. For example, though my apartment blesses me with a walk-in closet, when in it, I can get a grand total of two pairs of shoes into one photo. This would probably be the perfect time to mention that if anyone has any recommendations for SLR lenses or a great point-and-shoot camera, I'd love to hear them.

So, after a successful bargain-finding shopping trip and an even more budget-friendly spree in my closet, what's my other highlight of the week? Making some orange chicken that turned out absolutely delicious. Just thinking about it makes me crave it again! Is it weird that the sizzle of stir fry is one of my favorite sounds?

veggies and sauce (look at those cute lil' corncobs!)

after adding the chicken and rice

For a finale thought, I leave you with a single question ... why the hell is "Party in the USA" stuck in my head? I haven't even heard that song in its entirety once and yet Miley's bleats are now ricocheting through my cranium. Life, with its many earworms, is too cruel.

Excuse me, but there's a hole in your tulle.

2010-01-21T05:35:00.007-06:00

Those gorgeous Viktor & Rolf gowns that I loved on back in October are now the stars of Dazed & Confused's February issue. Dubbed "chainsaw couture," the editorial, shot by Josh Olins, modeled by Magdalena Frackowiak and styled by fashion editor Katie Shillingford, is faaaaabulous. At the very least, it's a step up from Katy Perry, yes?

2010 Golden Globes favorites.

2010-01-18T17:00:00.005-06:00

Since I've already done such a lovely job procrastinating today ... here are my favorite looks from last night's Golden Globes. Zoe Saldana's stunning wine-colored Louis Vuitton was my favorite, and I thought the spiraling pattern on Jayma Mays' black and white Badgley Mischka dress was a fun twist on a classic color combo. And despite being both pastel and pink, two of my fashion ughs, even I have to admit that Emily Blunt's Dolce & Gabbana gown was bee-you-tea-full.

Somewhere beyond the sea...

2010-01-08T13:24:00.007-06:00

Back in October, the American Chemistry Council and Gen Art teamed up to form the 2009 Plastics Make it Possible design competition, encouraging participants to create two looks made from plastic or plastic-based materials. The team of Wesley Nault and Daniel Feld (WesFeld) were just announced as winners, and I must say, I think both gowns are stunning. To quote their bio, "the inspiration for this set is inspired by oceanic structures that wash up on shore and slowly bleach out in color by the sun." They cite a conch sea shell as inspiration for the first look and the fossilized exoskeleton of a trilobite as inspiration for the second, and I think the translation from object to garment is friggin' genius. As winners, they'll have a 10-piece collection featured at Gen Art's New Garde New York Fashion Week Show on February 10th. You know I'll be eagerly anticipating that one!

Inhale. Exhale.

2010-01-08T09:31:00.007-06:00

Well. It just won't stop snowing, will it? This is by far the most snow I can remember seeing in person. Normally we get just enough to create a thin, slushy layer of gray slop. Days with a high in the single digits is not my idea of a good time! As a result, I've been staying inside, reading, making gingerbread men and working on my photography website, heatheryarnell.com.

Previously, it's always bothered me how scattershot my portfolio page appears. A bright orange butterfly here, a muted cemetery shot there... So, I finally decided to split my photographs into two categories: inhale and exhale. On the inhale page, you'll find bold colors, insects, animals and nature. The exhale page is comprised of mostly urban decay - old architecture, cemeteries, abandoned buildings and sepia-toned still life. If you feel so inclined, you can click the polaroids below to browse through.

My true love went riding out in white and green and grey...

2010-01-02T06:55:00.012-06:00

Since I've only gotten into the rhythm of regularly blogging for the past month or so, there's no way I can sanely make a retrospective post summarizing the past year. And as silly as it may be, I couldn't help but look through everyone's yearly recaps over the past few days and feel a twinge of regret that I have no visual chronicle of the past 365 days. I never make new year's resolutions, but this year I actually have a few. As a photographer, it's more than a bit ridiculous to get as lazy with my camera as I have this past year. Chalk it up to the year's difficult personal distractions, but whatever my excuse is, I'm determined to put it behind me. This year, I'm going to do a better job documenting the world around me and my place in it. So, since I can't share my favorite outfits of the past year or walk you through a photographic tour of the things I saw in 2009, I'll just chatter about one of my favorite subjects. This was the soundtrack to my year...

Some of my favorite artists released new albums in 2009, and many lived up to my high expectations. The Decembertists' The Hazards of Love has only gotten better the more I've heard it, Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown made me feel very silly for thinking they could never top American Idiot and Neko Case's Middle Cyclone, though it couldn't match her 2006 release Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, was still a worthy follow-up to that masterpiece. Vienna Teng (with Inland Territory) and Alison Sudol (aka A Fine Frenzy, with Bomb in a Birdcage) both made lovely piano pop albums that didn't knock me out on first listen, but gradually revealed their subtle beauty over further spins. I found Mandy Moore's unassuming folk-pop record Amanda Leigh, particularly the lead-off track "Merrimack River," worthy of repeat plays and was happy to have new Eisley music, in the form of their Fire Kite EP, even if it was just a few songs long. I loved Yeah Yeah Yeah's third full lengther It's Blitz! and was instantly obsessed with Florence and the Machine's Lungs. I played the heck out of the pop/rock perfection of Kelly Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted, found Allison Iraheta's Just Like You to be the best of the over-hyped American Idol '09 debuts and eventually had to admit to myself that I had become a Lady GaGa fan. And while I'm sure a lot of boneheaded people will miss out on the soundtrack to Twilight's New Moon simply because it's connected to that franchise, it's truly their loss. From Lykke Li's hymn-like "Possibility" to the gorgeous Grizzly Bear and Victoria Legrand collaboration, it's a wonderful collection.

When it came to discovering music released prior to 2009, I fell in love with a trio of eponymous 2008 debuts: Fleet Foxes' stunning baroque folk, Santigold's glitter-spewing electropop and Ladyhawke's radio-ready '80s throwback. I couldn't get enough of M.I.A.'s Kala, MGMT's Oracular Spectacular or Damone's Out Here All Night and when over the summer I dove into Garbage's discography courtesy of Grooveshark, I came away loving practically every song I streamed. As far as tracks go, I started the year out by acquiring addictions to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Hate Myself for Loving You," Lijie's "Roam" and the Hold Steady's "Sequestered in Memphis." By the summer, I was loving Ladytron's "Destroy Everything You Touch," the Dead Weather's "Treat Me Like Your Mother," Nas' "I Can" and the Killer's "Spaceman," and I ended the year by rediscovering Regina Spektor's "Samson."

Even though 2009 was a rough year for me, the soundtrack these albums and songs provided made it undeniably better. While my list of 2009 music that I have yet to sample is an intimidating mountain at this point, I'm confident that I'll uncover plenty of new music throughout this year and will hopefully be back here in a year's time, sharing my favorites with you.

What about you? Did you make any musical discoveries in 2009 that you'd like to pass along?

Eugène Atget's haunted Paris.

2010-01-01T06:28:00.003-06:00

I randomly happened upon the work of Eugène Atget one day while browsing through the Barnes & Noble discounted books section, and instantly fell in love with the gorgeous way he documented Paris in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I find the eerie nostalgia that resonates from each of his photographs incredibly surreal, and honestly have a hard time comprehending that these scenes and subjects actually existed rather than came from the creative mind of a painter or set designer concocting a fantasy world. You can find more images here, and take a fascinating tour of Paris then-and-now here.

Versace Pre-Fall 2010.

2009-12-30T17:00:00.009-06:00

Since I keep finding myself going back and Googling the Versace Pre-Fall 2010 collection, figured it was time to collect my favorite looks in one place. Combining two of my favorite things: asymmetrical hems and Asian prints, it's no wonder I'm drawn to these!

Gimme!

2009-12-29T16:29:00.005-06:00

N.Y.L.A. zippered ankle boot, Dolce Vita chain bootie

Since this little cheapskate can't imagine spending three digits on ONE pair of shoes, I'll have to remain content that staring at these photos is as close to them as I'm getting. The pair below is on sale for $22 at kohls.com, so it's beginning to approach a price that I might consider. But I have so many shoes, I don't know if I'd even spend that. I fear thrifting has completely ruined my ability to enjoy shopping. Buying anything over $2 has become a stressful experience.

Candie's studded heels

I hear footsteps in the dark when you hijack my heart.

2009-12-27T18:36:00.013-06:00

It seems I'm always at least a bit behind everyone else when it comes to hearing new music. For proof, look no further than the fact that I've only recently discovered New Zealander Pip Brown, better known by her stage name Ladyhawke. Her debut album was released last year, and it's just a fun '80s-influenced blast. And might I add, I love this lady's style! Apparently she avoids women's clothing altogether, and I think it definitely works for her. She lists Kurt Cobain and Patti Smith as her style icons, and that's evident in her casual, nonchalant approach.

Ladyhawke

I'm having a white Christmas!

2009-12-25T13:00:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, when I heard it was actually going to snow on Christmas, I planned to do a "wardrobe remix" shoot in the snow with my favorite thrift store find to date: a vintage blue lamb fur-trimmed coat. But when the snow turned into a blizzard last night while on the drive home from the family Christmas Eve party, I figured that was out. And sure enough, there was about four feet of snow packed against my front door this morning, and the snow wasn't done yet. So instead, I'll leave you with a few images of the day's winter wonderland: my snow-covered courtyard, front porch and screen door. Merry Christmas!

It's officially Rodarte Day and ... eh.

2009-12-20T17:49:00.008-06:00

Well, it's December 20 and you know what that means: after months of anxiously awaiting its arrival, Rodarte officially debuts at Target! I visited two local stores this morning and came home with ... nothing. Overall, my impression with this collection is that it's an off-kilter combination of cheap n' tacky and precious n' proper. I could see someone with a girly girl style coming away with several great pieces, but there wasn't anything that came together just right for me. It was either too sweet or too gaudy. I never have been a fan of leopard, and I'm absolutely repulsed by the orchid pieces, so they did NOT make a journey with me to the dressing room. I liked the mustard cardigan a *teensy* bit more in person than I had through photos online, but honestly, I'd pass it right up on a clearance rack. It's probably a good thing too, because it was nowhere to be found at Target #1 and Target #2 only had one L and one XL left. The blue swiss dot dress was pretty, but made me feel like a five-year-old figure skater while I thought the black crepe slip dress would be just about perfect if Hot Topic was opening up a ballet studio and I wanted to start taking classes. Out of my four favorite items from the lookbook, I found one: the cream and black lace print dress. It was pretty, I liked it, but in it, I felt a little too ... conservative. My other favorites, the ribcage dress, nude lace cardigan and black tights, were apparently too much for the midwest to handle. Driving home, I had conflicting emotions. I was disappointed to walk away empty-handed, to be let down yet again by a GO International collection and to know that a few of my favorites pieces were nowhere to be found. I was also relieved that my credit card wasn't going to bear the burden of full price stickers, and I was even a little bit proud to have not let that RODARTE tag sway my decisions.

The first Target that I went to was sold out of the lace print dress in my size, and I was shocked to learn that they got in a grand total of ONE in that size. Yeah, you read that right. They originally had ONE size S dress. Total. I knew I wasn't exactly living in a fashion capital, but that news completely blows my mind. And apparently GO International shoppers get vicious when they learn this, because the clerk looked and sounded absolutely terrified when I asked if they had anymore. Her response was something like this: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That's all we have. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's been selling really fast. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't think we're going to get anymore. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Maybe she bought the one S dress and felt guilty. ;)

So how'd everyone else come out? Anyone else have trouble tracking down some of the pieces? I hope you all had better luck finding something that you love!

Evil Twin.

2009-12-14T15:29:00.008-06:00

Thanks to bloomingvogue's post from a few hours ago, I can add Evil Twin to my short list of favorite labels. Their website, which you can check out here, is right up my alley, particularly the winter '09 collection. It's a good thing no one around here carries their clothing, or I'd be in trouble!

Rodarte for Target lookbook leak!

2009-12-03T16:03:00.013-06:00

Even though Target's GO International collections disappoint me time after time, every time a new designer is announced, I still always manage to get my hopes up. And when it was announced back in August that Rodarte was set to launch into Target stores on December 20, I couldn't wait to see it. Finally, both the lookbook and prices have leaked. (Thank you The Cut, and thank you College Fashion for spreading the news.) This is the first time that an overall GO collection has me intrigued rather than let down. I'm actually anxious to see these pieces in person, especially the ones in the first three looks below. Okay, so the lace tights aren’t exactly as awesome as the slashed crochet ones from last year, but for $13 instead of $850, I’ll take ‘em. Actually, I’ll take one of everything, Rodarte. Please and thank you.

New @ Orphaned Apparel.

2009-12-02T20:09:00.008-06:00

Spent the afternoon tromping through the soggy surroundings of this lake, inadvertently worrying a rather large flock of resting geese in the process. I must not have alarmed them too badly though, because they all stayed put and only honked a few times. ;) Once again, the shirt is available in my Orphaned Apparel etsy shop.

New @ Orphaned Apparel.

2009-11-29T15:14:00.010-06:00

Man, I haven't done a wardrobe remix shoot since March! What a crazy, computer-challenged year this has been. For my return, I decided to multi-task by building my outfit around the latest addition to the Orphaned Apparel etsy store: this duck print blouse. I love it, but you can't keep everything, so it's available to purchase from the shop right now.

I'm addicted to sunset lighting. The afternoon was gorgeous, so I made a quick cemetery stop to shoot this look. The silence was interrupted only by the sound of robins and squirrels hopping through crispy autumn leaves. Lovely.

Intermission, pt. 2.

2009-10-13T03:50:00.009-05:00

Ladies and gents, can you believe my favorite month is here again?! With its perfect weather, moody autumn skies and colorful, crunchy leaves, it just doesn't get any better than October. And we're already 13 days in, so better soak it all in before it slips away again!

So, after a summer of silence and only a brief "BRB!" post, I figured an update was in order. After experiencing my first hard drive failure, I'm currently confined to a gimpy computer, left with an Internet connection that doesn't extend beyond much more than playing Facebook games and listening to tunes on Grooveshark and Lala. The result? I'm up to level 101 in My Zoo, which is exactly 101 levels higher than I was pre-computer death, and have re-discovered Garbage in a way that just might be creeping into obsession territory. But I'm not complaining! An end is in sight, and a new computer will soon be sittin' in my office. And announcing itself on my credit card statement. Yay = oy. So anyway. The countdown is upon us, and soon I'll be back to sharing photos, bringing you vintage and doing a much better job at blogging regularly. Promise.

Oh, and by the way, yes please:

Viktor & Rolf, Spring 2010

Intermission.

2009-08-05T12:02:00.006-05:00

Yes, you guessed it. Computer trouble ... again. My break will be extending a little longer than expected, but I *will* be returning shortly with new photos, features and updates. Orphaned Apparel will also be relaunching this autumn with loads of new merchandise and a brand spankin' new website. There is much work going on, even if you can't see it yet, so keep an eye out. See you soon!

They giveth and they taketh.

2009-07-14T17:46:00.016-05:00

Christian Siriano

This is old news to anyone interested, I'm sure, since I'm probably the only Style reader who first gets to their Fashion Week photo recaps months after they've actually happened, but today I stumbled across Payless' On the Runway site and was instantly anxious for fall to arrive. Though the Lela Rose collection does nothing for me, there was quite a few styles from the Christian Siriano, Abaeté and Alice + Olivia lines that I could already picture purchasing. For a minute, anyway. I scoured the 'net for more recent info, hoping that the shoes showing up in stores would retain at least a smidge of their runway glory, but alas, Racked tells me that Payless has completely neutered Siriano's entire line. Just when you think shoes that can double as weapons are about to come into your possession, they pull the plug! I think this is even worse than the disappointment Alexander McQueen's Designer Collaborations line for Target left me with.

Abaeté, Alice + Olivia

Abaeté

5 favorites: music videos.

2009-04-14T16:38:00.009-05:00

Wow. I'm not too good at this blogging regularly thing, am I? Okay, let's get this thing going again with music videos. I'm afraid my collection of favorites isn't the most varied (the same director pops up three times), but at least I'm consistent, right? ;-)

1. Untitled #1
Artist: Sigur Rós
Director: Floria Sigismondi

Although the five videos here are listed in no particular order, I figured my favorite video of all time needed to be placed in the number one slot. It's the first of three Floria Sigismondi-directed clips to make my top five, and any descriptive words I could try and muster would just be trivial.

2. O' Sailor
Artist: Fiona Apple
Director: Floria Sigismondi

"O' Sailor" is one of those rare instances where a video actually changed my opinion about the song itself. Taken from the much-discussed Extraordinary Machine LP that leaked online in Jon Brion-helmed form before a largely revamped version was officially released, I remember internally bemoaning how lifeless she sounded on this track. And what do you know, Floria (hi again!) got Fiona to embody that word quite literally, having her haunt a spooky, ghost-infested ocean liner for the video. Filmed aboard the RMS Queen Mary, smoke curls through the corridors and a chandelier becomes an unlikely place of entrapment for our listless castaway. It's just all-around stylistically and atmospherically pitch perfect in my opinion, and made me see the song in a wonderful new light.

3. The Scientist
Artist: Coldplay
Director: Jamie Thraves

Forgive me, dear readers, but I'm going to talk to myself for a moment. Remember the good old days when Coldplay had great music videos, Heather? Remember how "Trouble" would always give you the willies because it reminded you of some childhood memory that you never could put your finger on? Remember, back when videos actually got played on those now so-called "music stations," coming across "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" and anxiously awaiting to see what happened to that poor guy? And then there was "The Scientist." Yeah, that was a good one too.

4. Spark
Artist: Tori Amos
Director: James Brown

Ambiguous and open-ended, I'm almost afraid to say anything about this one for fear of impressing my interpretation on someone else. Tori has aptly described this video as being about a girl having a really bad day, so let's just go with that. People have asked me what happened to the girl in the "Spark" video ... They say "But what about him? He's still out there." And I say "Yes, I know." -Tori

5. Blue Orchid
Artist: The White Stripes
Director: Floria Sigismondi

The last video I'm including in this list is again directed by Floria (why, hello again). Shot inside a burned-out L.A. mansion, white horses, apples and snakes pop up around Jack and Meg, who are busy smashing plates and plucking the strings of a charred piano while a woman teeters around on extreme heels. Floria's trademark jittery camerawork is a perfect match for the song's chaotic pace.

So there they are! My five favorite music videos. What about you? What would your list look like?

Maybe we don't want to be found.

2008-08-17T15:42:00.034-05:00

The past week has been a very pleasant one. The weather has not been so miserably hot, and there's been plenty of shopping while I try to figure out what to wear to my cousin's wedding. In the process, I found the GO International tiered ruffle dress at my local Target for half-off! I've been eyeing that piece since it came out, but thrifting has left me painfully unable to buy anything that is over $3. Fifty percent off is still quite the splurge for me, but I managed to talk myself into it.

The soundtrack to my week has been almost exclusively A Fine Frenzy, aka Alison Sudol. I discovered her earlier this week while listening to my last.fm radio station. She can get a bit too sweet and precious for me; for example: her song "You Picked Me" is gorgeous, but when in the chorus she compares herself to an apple hidden among leaves, I cringe. Still, I'm drawn to songs like "Rangers" and "Come On, Come Out." I like her best when she's immersed in nature-inspired metaphors and stories, maybe because the photographic presentation gives the impression that she travels the country with a piano strapped on her back, trekking through fields and forests in flowing lace dresses, waiting for a stream or leaf or cloud to inspire her. Perhaps all meadows should have flame-haired songstresses twirling about.

One Cell In The Sea - A Fine Frenzy

Excessive? I think so.

2008-08-02T22:18:00.021-05:00

With an excessive heat warning in effect (through Tuesday!), today was a day spent staying in, catching up on photos and watching Charlie Chaplin movies on TCM. Air conditioning, "City Lights" and reliving my Eureka Springs trip? I think I made the right decision!

The photos below are from my second day in Eureka, which was spent walking miles up and down the town and chasing dragonflies in the courtyard outside of my house.

Eureka Springs, pt. 2: My kind of town!

2008-07-15T21:22:00.017-05:00

Here are some more of the Eureka Springs sights that my camera captured. Before that, another Orphaned Apparel shoot, this time on the upstairs balcony. The location made me feel like I was hanging out in the treetops, though if you're someone afraid of heights like me, the slope of the roof could be slightly traumatizing.

Eureka Springs, pt. 1: Gunne Sax on Spring Street.

2008-07-13T16:48:00.021-05:00

I'm back from my Arkansas getaway and have begrudgingly returned to the modern world. Located in the heart of America's Victorian mountain village and on the trolley car and horse-drawn carriage routes, the place that I called home was in the perfect spot: an easy stroll to the town's art galleries, sidewalk cafés and downtown shopping district. It was lovely to hear horse hooves clop down the street, frogs croak through the night and water bubble through the pond that was located in my yard.

I packed some of my more recent vintage finds with me to take advantage of the amazing location, fully prepared to embrace the opportunity to step back in time. I was not disappointed. I'll be sharing plenty more from my trip over the next few days. For now, some photos from my Gunne Sax dress shoot. The giant tree stumps were on my street, and the house in the photos is the one I stayed in!

Gotcha!

2008-06-13T22:33:00.022-05:00

After years of progressively leaning further and further, on Sunday, my neighbor's tree finally fell, taking out my fence, gutter and both cars in my driveway. It took four days to get the dang thing removed! Figured since a scene like that doesn't happen every day, I might as well get a "wardrobe remix" shot out of it. Came across this '70s bird print blouse at my local thrift store and fell in love with it, so I had to take it for a spin before putting it in the shop. Something about looking down and seeing swallows flying across you makes the day a bit lovelier, especially those days where trees take out your transportation.

The view from my living room:

A leaf-buried car: