Guest Post - Liz of 26 and Counting

I asked a few lovely ladies from around the web to be virtual guests at my wedding.  This week while I'm sunning on a Bahamian beach, these ladies will share with you what they "wore" to my wedding.  Hopefully you'll get some great ideas about what to wear to a fall wedding.  First up is Liz from 26 and Counting.




{Dress: H&M, Belt: J Crew, Flower Pin: Old Navy, Shoes: Bandolino}




Hey everyone, I’m Liz! I’m usually over at 26 and Counting, but today I’m really excited to be a virtual guest at Kara’s wedding! We go way back….a few 30x30 challenges back. In honor of Kara’s vintage {seriously how does she find all of those amazing thrifted pieces? I’m jealous over here} aesthetic I opted for this whimsy, polka dot dress. While it’s not exactly vintage, I think it’s definitely vintage-inspired. Add a nice big flower pin {I’m obsessed, okay!?} and I’m good to dance the night away at the reception.

Thanks for having me Kara! And congratulations on what I’m sure was a fabulous wedding!

The Big Day

It seems like we just got engaged, but, Yippee!, the big day is finally here, Saturday in fact.  You won't see me around these parts next week, I might just be chilling in the Bahamas.  I have, however, invited 5 of my fellow bloggers to be virtual guests at my wedding.  Next week, they will be sharing what they "wore" to my wedding.  Please be sure to stop by and give them all the love and support you've given me.

Silk Road

Once again an accidental all second hand outfit. Well, expect for the leg wear, but do you really blame me? I draw the line at used undergarments. This one is somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 dollars. Second hand silk Anthropologie dresses don't come cheap.

Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted

Dress - Anthro, Resale Shop

Boots - Antonio Melani, Thrifted

Necklace - Antique Mall

Belt - Flea Market

Quick Wedding DIY

I was sorely in need of some chalk boards for use in the photobooth at our wedding reception.  I did not originate this idea.  It's been floating around the internet for a while.  I did, however, act on this idea, which is more that I can say about most of the cute ideas I see on the internet.

What you need:

2 Thrifted Metal Trays (The dorkier the pattern, the better)

1 Can of Spray Paint

Follow the directions on the back of the can and voila!  Cute chalkboards for your guest to leave you cute messages.

Purple for a Cause

Today, I'm joining bloggers from around the web to wear purple for a cause.  Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy asked everyone to wear purple today in support of a rarely promoted cause: domestic violence awareness.  So put on your purple to show that love shouldn't hurt.

Cardigan - LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Blouse - Loft, Thrifted

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Heels - Reaction Kenneth Cole, TJ Maxx

Scarf - Estate Sale

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

1 in 3 families are affected by domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors — physical, sexual, psychological, and economic coercion — used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship. Batterers use of a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner.

If you are in danger, please call 911, your local hotline, or (in the U.S.) the National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 or TTY (800) 787-3224.

Red Hot Bargain

True to my word, I wore my Thrift Find for the Week today to work.  Without even trying, I made an all second-hand, under $25 outfit.  I even got a couple of compliments on my skirt today.

Sweater - Gianni Bini, Resale Shop, $6.00

Skirt - Vintage, Goodwill, $4.00

Boots - Vintage, Goodwill, $8.00

Locket - Antique Mall, $3.00

Belt - Flea Market, $1.00

Bracelet - Vintage, Mom'd, Free

Total: $22.00

Thrift Find for the Week

Once again, I've been so busy that I've done little thrifting of late.  I did pop into Goodwill today to look for something I needed to finish up a wedding DIY (which I'll show y'all sometime this week).  While I was there, I quickly scanned the racks and found this red pleated knit skirt.  I'll try to wear it tomorrow, so you can see it in action.

Skirt - Vintage, Goodwill, $4.00

Switching Season

I'm feeling pretty Fall-ish today, especially with the fallen leaves (from last year I think, they were here when I moved in late September).  This time of year I like to trade out some of my bright yellow pieces for deeper mustard tones.  The deeper shade just seems to go perfectly with the season, and a good sandwich.

Here are some of the switches I make for Fall:

Bright Yellow Cardigan for Mustard Yellow Cardigan

Bright Yellow Skirt for Mustard Yellow Skirt

What are some of the wardrobe changes you make with the change of season?

Sweater - F21, Plato's Closet (Unblogged)

Blouse - Old Navy, Resale Shop

Skinnies - James Jeans, Anthro

Boots - Gianni Bini, Goodwill

Did you catch my Day to Date look from Monday?  Readers of Unusual Form can receive $20 off their eShakti purchase by using the code: UNUSUAL0811.

Worth the Wait

This outfit almost went unblogged.  It was rainy, I was tired, it was almost a default outfit, but it does show off my trench coat. I just managed to grab a few outfit shots after work.

Trench - Banana Republic

Shirt - J.Crew

Skinnies - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Boots -Gianni Bini

Glasses - Kate Spade

I think it was definitely worth all that wait to find the perfect trench.

College Town

Another quick before and after using my own tutorial. I definitely took my own advice and look super frumpy in the before photo.

I didn't even have to measure or mark.  I just used the lines of the plaid to cut it to length.  Thirty minutes later and this skirt has a new lease on life.

Shirt - Gap

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted, Altered (Unblogged)

Tights - ?

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Scarf - Target

Belt - Flea Market

Bracelet - Mom'd

Day to Date

I have a new dress from the lovely people at eShakti. It's perfect for a day to date transition and that is exactly what this dress did last Friday. With a blazer, this dress is perfectly work appropriate. After 5, slip the blazer off and vavavoom, you're ready for a night on the town.

Blazer - Banana Republic

Dress - c/o eShakti

Heels - Gianni Bini, Dillard's

Necklace  - Thrifted

Bracelet - Vintage

eShakti is great for those of us with fit issues. For $7.50 extra, each piece can be custom made to your measurements. This dress is probably one of the best fitting dresses I've ever owned. The site also lets you customize features such as sleeve type and length. The dress I ordered was originally sleeveless.  I had the cap sleeves added so that I can feel comfortable wearing it on it's own. Chances are you are not going to find a more custom piece for a better price. If you are interested in having your own custom made piece, check out eShakti.

Readers of Unusual Form can receive $20 off their eShakti purchase by using the code: UNUSUAL0811.

Do You Know Coco?

I guess I have to be inspired to get dressed.  Yesterday, I was inspired by the women of Mad Men.  Today it's French girls.  I've written again and again about my admiration of French style and one item that seems to epitomize that is the lady-like tweed jacket.  I've wanted such a jacket for some time now.  It was even on my 5-Piece French Wardrobe "to buy" list for a while.  This summer, I struck thrift store pay dirt and found one for less than $3.00.  Take that Coco Chanel. 

Jacket - Express, Thrifted

Blouse - Gap

Skinnies - BGD, Urban Outfitters

Heels - Liz Claibourne

Bracelet - Simply Vera, Kohl's

Apparently, I'm a few days early. Tomorrow is the 2nd Annual Little Black Dress Event which benefits Dress for Success in Memphis. I didn't get to go last year, but it looks like a really fun event for a really great cause. It's always nice to have an excuse to dress up. If you're in the Memphis area and would like to attend, you can purchase your tickets here. If you would like more information about the event check out Dress for Success Memphis' website.

Mad Woman

I've been watching Season 1 of Mad Men on Netflix and let me tell you, it warms my mid-century loving heart.  The furniture! The clothes! Just not the sexism or racism.  But the clothes!  Oh, the clothes!  I admire Joan's style.  Who wouldn't want to be Joan?  I'm probably closer to Peggy in real life, but I love Betty's style.  Perfection.  This outfit was actually inspired by some random office girl, but it's inspired none the less.

Dress - Banana Republic

Blouse - Lilly Pulitzer, TJ Maxx

Tights - ?

Heels - Gianni Bini

Brooch - Vintage, Goodwill

Note the brooch. It's from this week's Thrift Finds for the Week. It fit perfectly with my mid-century look. The blue tights? Not so much. I've got to put the "modern" in mid-century modern, right?

I DIY And So You Can

Want to see how I took a thrift store skirt to what you see below in 30 minutes? Head over to Everybody, Everywear to read my DIY tutorial.

Sweater - Gianni Bini, Resale Shop

Skirt - Thrifted, Altered (Unblogged)

Boots - David and Joan Couture, Thrifted

Locket - Vintage, Great Aunt's

Bracelet - Mom'd

Belt - J.Crew, Thrifted

That 70s Oufit

I've really been into the 70s recently.  I'm loving 70s silhouettes.  High waists, wide legs, blouson arms.  I'm loving gold accents.  I'm even really into 70s kitchen colors.  Avocado green, sunset orange, harvest gold.  I've always thought of myself as a strict mid-century modernist when it comes to decor, but for some reason the kitch of the 70s has been calling my name.  I probably won't be redecorating anytime soon, but I can rock some 70s inspired outfits in the meantime.

Blouse - Banana Republic, Resale Shop (Unblogged)

Jeans - Gap

Belt - Coldwater Creek

Boots - Antonio Melani, Thrifted

Necklace - Vintage

Bracelet - Mom'd

Thrift Finds for the Week

Well, real life is managing to limit blogging and thrifting time. I haven't done much of either lately. I did manage to pick up these two little lovelies at Goodwill today. $2.00 a piece. Sometimes it's the little things that get you through.

l - r

Pink Brooch - Vintage, Goodwill, $2.00

Blue Brooch - Vintage, Goodwill, $2.00

Grand Total $4.00