Unicorns!

u·ni·corn

ˈyo͞onəˌkôrn/

noun

1. 1. 

   a mythical animal typically represented as a horse with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead.
2. 2. 

   An elusive piece of clothing that just can't seem to be found anywhere. 

   
   

Most people think of unicorns as the dress they want- that is so hard to find because the maker stopped producing it. It's often highly sought after and finding it (in your size) is an impossibility. It's the things we dream about and wish that one day, luck will shine down on us and with it- bring that one special piece. 

That is most people. For me, I see my unicorns as those similar pieces as stated above- but also pieces that I really want but can't afford. For me- there's no way I can afford a $144 dress even with 25% off. 

But, lately I've had some great luck. There have been three pieces that I'd like to talk about today that have been on my absolutely must have lists for years. I'd scan the swap and sell pages hoping that some girl in my size would be crazy enough to let a piece go (for cheap) and I'd be the lucky first person to jump at it! 

It never really happens. So, let's talk my spoils.

First, I have spent years viewing the Alika dress by Tatyana. I had wanted it for so long but the $143 price tag was just too much. They'd have an occasional 50% off sale but I could never find it in my size. So, I kept hoping and praying that it would just make it to me one day! 

And, one night- it happened. My size appeared on Poshmark. I was hoping for green but there was black! Medium! Oh my! My first thought: "I don't really have a little black dress!!"  And it was $55. The best price I have ever found. The seller said she had only wore it once!

Look at that neckline!

Smiles for days!

So much love that my leg went phantom.

The second piece (please keep in mind that I'm merely showing three of tons of pieces I have wanted for forever) is the Atomic print in the Doris style by Pinup Girl Clothing! I had seen this print when I first started researching pinup photography. I wanted it so bad. I looked it up and it had sold and didn't look like it would be coming back anytime soon. I gave up on this skirt. It sat in the back of my mind but I really didn't think it would ever happen. Then, low and behold a woman sold it on the swap page for $50! It had a few spots but they were so small that they didn't bother me- especially for the price! But, someone had claimed it. And I was so upset! I told the girl to consider me next if by some crazy chance it fell through. One week later and it was mine!!! And I do not know where this skirt has been my entire life!!

I feel like a rockstar!

And I finally have a reason to wear my jewelry!!

The third piece for this entry is the Pinup Girl Clothing Monica dress. Ever since I have seen this dress, I have wanted it. It has suited everyone I have ever seen in it. I was floored that it worked so well with literally every size. I wanted it! I needed it! (Oh Baby, Oh Baby) But it was $144. PUG clothing would rarely have a sale and no true sale can justify such a high dollar amount especially for something I can't see myself wearing somewhat daily.

So, I stalked the swap pages. I really wanted one brand new but it was almost impossible. The standard rate on swap is about $90, and worn out in a lot of cases. Zippers needing fixed... Etc. you could find something a bit cheaper but never much lower than that.

Fast forward to Sunday night. Poshmark.  My size. Red. $45. Never worn only tried on. 

I didn't even hesitate. Not for a single second. It was mine within 10 seconds of seeing it.

I'm still not 100% sure on how I feel about it though! 

 

Mainly because I get extremely weirded out when you can see any little bit of my  (Polish girl/ love for sweets) belly. 

 Not going to lie... The top is pretty darn spectacular!
 
 

That's all for now. I'll be photographing these all soon and I'll have even more to share soon! 

 

 

The start of my Bucket List

I was flipping through my Deceptive Desserts book by Christine McConnel the other day. She makes some crazy stuff! She's on IG at @christinehmcconnell if you'd like to check her out. The book and her particular baking style is anything deceptive.

Lemon Blueberry cakes that are actually shaped like lemons! She has an entire chicken dinner with corn, green beans, carrots and mashed potatoes that is completely made out of desserts. It's very mind blowing and quite honestly my favorite cook book because I wish I could be that creative.

I mean... Really.

 

One one page she has the Grand Hotel from Mackinac Island completely made out of fudge. Fudge of course being one of the things Mackinac is known for. 

 

This made me think of my long desire to go to Mackinac and stay at the Grand. Which started me thinking about some more things I'd love to be able to do before I leave this world. I also truly hope that's not anytime soon. 

So without further ado, here is a list of things that I must do before I croak. I figured I'd come up with 40- and see how that goes. (P.S. I have not written it out yet so whatever come out - comes out naturally).

1. Visit Europe

2. Drive the entire route of US 66, starting in Chicago. 

3. Sell jewelry in all 50 states.

4. Photograph people until it's no longer fun for me. Give it my all.

5. Visit Fiji

6. Take a cruise

7. Go West- specifically New Mexico and Arizona (look for Fenn's Treasure, even half heartedly just for fun).

8. Walk by myself in an autumnal forest (I try to do this whenever I can).

9. View the galaxy in the most optimal of places. Photograph it.

10. Sew something challenging and wear it with pride.

11. Go back to Disney World and live like a kid as much as possible. 

12. Visit New York City.

13. Stay at the Grand Hotel.

14. Visit Las Vegas.

15. Have coffee in Seattle. 

16. Hike the PCT (highly unlikely but this is a wish list). Yes, I really enjoyed Wild. 

17. Get lost and be okay with it. 

18. Dress fancy and be 100% okay with it. Even for just a week.

19. Make as many friends as I can, even if they're just acquaintances. 

20. Turn left when I want to turn right and keep driving until I wind up somewhere unexpected. 

21. Go back to New Orleans. Visit both St. Louis cemeteries. Buy Gris-Gris. Channel my inner Marie Laveau. Wander aimlessly.

 

22. Visit Savannah.

23. Visit Charleston. 

24. Visit my favorite cemetery again.

25. Go back to Bloomington and buy a bagel and hot tea in the Autumn. Be sentimental. 

26. Read as much as I can.

27. Give to a charity in another way than money. Volunteer. 

28. Dance under a full moon naked. Tee-hee

29. Never forget the things that have made me happy. (I have no control over this- but it I can continue thinking of them it only betters my chances).

30. Hang glide. 

31. Go ghost hunting.

32. Visit Salem, MA.  

33. See the end of Gilmore Girls. (I've honestly told my husband that he cannot kill me til this happens). Haha! 

34. Visit the UK.

35. Do something for a friend- just because. (I try to keep this my motto).

36. Become a vegetarian again.

37. Continue to embrace the straight edge lifestyle (even after a few set-backs). Do this in my own way with nobody forcing my hand.

38. Get another tattoo. (I've got it picked out and everything!)

39. Go spelunking.

40. Point to an absolutely random city on a map and visit it.

41. Find a way for my biggest dream to come true. (Sorry this ones a semi-secret that I just can't share on a blog). 

42. Have another Halloween party. Bonus if I can have one with my friends from IN.

43. Become friends again with someone I thought I thought had lost.  

44. Visit Japan! How is this so far on the list?!? Oops! 

45. Photograph someone that I look up to...

46. Perfect my buttercream icing.

47. Have a tiki party when our tiki room is done! True tiki style clothing only! 😍

48. Eat something I said I never would and enjoy it.

49. Always exceed expectations. Set goals for myself, then shatter them. (Like this entry).

50. Ride a zip line.

51. Attend a masquerade

52. Attend a luau (double points if in Hawaii).

53. Stay in a haunted house.

54. See the Northern Lights.

55. Visit the Crooked Forest.

56. Tour the Everglades and take a trip to Key West.

57. Stay at the Polyensian Village.

58. Mentor someone

59. Challenge myself in some sort of education, again.

60. Read at least 10 classic books that were originally written in a different language.

I don't care!

I'm currently in a poor mood due to another mongrel from the internet (and my hometown) sharing videos that shouldn't be shared or videotaped at all for that matter. Sigh. Therefore, I'm going to write a blog to try and recover. Let us begin, shall we? Let's shall!

The other day, I decided to make an ink purchase from Amazon due to my upcoming new batch of TV releases! Ooooh! So, ink is totally mundane, right? But, Amazon has the cheapest prices. Two packs of generic off-brand ink for $7 (and some change)! AND it's prime! But, it's also an add-on item! Come on Amazon, not cool.

But long ink story short, my add-on to get Prime was "Your Beauty Mark" by Dita Von Teese. I've been debating the book for a while because I'm not a hardcore Dita fan. (Gasp!) I'm sorry. I like her, she's beautiful, and she's supposedly amazing.  I just don't want to call her my "Queen Bee" and worship the ground she walks on.

And, also, I don't like people that get so famous that they like to charge for autographs. Also, a kiss next to the signature costing a million dollars more? Nah. Give me the Cherry Dollface's of the world any day.

Anyway, I got it and I thumbed through it and it didn't give me any feels. I was flipping one page filled with photos of Dita half naked to the next. And, don't get me wrong here either, I don't have a problem with that. I can see the complete value in all photographs by professional photographers who are trying to accomplish some sort of look. But this book, it all feels... gratuitous. Every other page.

So, I shelfed it.

Then I got bored.

I started reading.

I found the subject interesting though slightly verbose. Slightly pretentious. But, I also found that it stirred up a few feelings inside of me. Several paragraphs (and long sentences) resonated with me.

"That is why I have always found the greatest inspiration and kinship in those brave shapeshifters, those famously infamous eccentrics, lauded and lambasted for breaking the rules of beauty and glamour, who endure in our imaginations as constant sources of indication despot their unconventional looks."

 

Now, I'm just 1.5 chapters in to the book. I have stalled a bit because the current chapter is about exercise and eating things that make paper sound good. I wish I could say that diet and exercise were at the top of my cares- but I really like sweets. Too much, in fact.

Where was I going with this? Today, I went to Huntsville. I wore a full skirt and I did half of my make-up (no concealer until I get rid of my rash). And, I was in Target (my last stop) when it hit me; I didn't care what anyone thought. I got dressed and left without the anxiety. None. I didn't wonder if people thought I was crazy, I just did me.

So, is this really because of a few words in a book? Is this because of a few great friends helping me through my problems for the longest time? Perhaps this is because I wore dresses for a week in Florida and nobody made me feel like an idiot (even at Disney). I can't be sure what has made me feel this way. I can't be sure that it's even a forever feeling.

But, one day after dyeing my hair for a while- I stopped caring what people thought of me. This may be the time when I stop caring again.

I just wanted to share this development.

And, in other news, my jewelry business is still selling. But, things have slowed down a lot- and I wish they wouldn't.  I'm hoping that the televisions are a hit again. We're getting Internet on Thursday! Huzzah! My car- Leif- has pretty much died. He's living in the driveway at my Mother-in-Law's and I haven't driven him in over a month. I have no car and I do not like driving my husband's truck. However, my husband's ex-boss has a convertible (👐🏻👐🏻) Volkswagen Cabrio that he's going to fix up for me. I will admit that I like cars that are somewhat unique. I also like to name everything I own after men- since men like to name the things they own after women. Don't even get me started on that!

I also like funny names. I also like naming things based on ethnicity. We were told Boomer was an Australian Shepherd when he was a puppy. All of my dogs have had names that started with B. Boomer is short for Boomerang. Australian.

Then when we found out he was a Catahoula (it's a Cajun dog, and he was already 3) I got so upset that we had not named him Boudreaux.

Wow, that was a fun tangent. But yes, I'm going to name my (I hope it becomes mine because I already feel like it's mine) German car Otto. A German name. Otto-mobile. Hehehe. So stupid.

And that, is the end of this blog. Because, I suck at endings!

I've got a problem!

 

My problem? Wondering where to keep these babies and how to not be upset with myself for wanting to look pretty on occasion. 

I just can't wait for photos! 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiny bits

This week has exploded for me in terms of sales with my jewelry company. I've been posting a lot more just to drag up some interest, but wow! It's so weird to me.

Here I am, just this socially awkward girl that decided one day to make a few pieces of jewelry instead of buying it, because well- I'm poor (especially when it comes to splurging). So, I got the stuff and I crafted.

Now it's been over a year and a half and things have absolutely exploded! I love making jewelry and I especially love when people get my jewelry and then they have to write me and tell me how thrilled they are.

I'm just this girl. I don't think I fit in with the pin-up community. I'm certainly not a popular girl, or a funny girl, or even someone who stands out in a crowd. I don't think I'm even talented. I'm not really artistic! It still kills me when people call me an artist. I just pour some glitter and hope for the best!

My jewelry literally has more of a life than I do! But, I'm just really happy to have something to look back on one day. How I brought smiles to faces. How I brought more shine into people's lives. How even though I never fit in in the community, I still made a small name for myself.

Life is funny that way.

It's unexpected and it's crazy.

And, I sure hope things keep looking up.

And, I sure hope this new rash on my face goes away! Ah, the joys of playing with the things you're allergic to.