lemon love » consumerism

sparklepire

Brittney — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:10:35 +0000

Why hello there, lovelies!

I know, I know, it’s been awhile. And I’ve been busy, what with school and work and actually attempting to have a social life beyond the computer in my bedroom. Fun fact: I got a call from Australia last week, commending me for focusing on my studies instead of blogging.

I’m breaking my silence this week because 1) I miss writing to y’all and 2) I had to share… of course I am still thrifting and finding neat and random things to wear. 3) Also I am tired of analyzing Renaissance poetry. REALLY.

Two weeks ago I attended a booksigning for the lovely Winona’s new book, Closet Confidential, where I got my autographed copy and enjoyed some sparkling apple cider at Mabel & Zora.

Me and my sister at the Closet Confidential party!

Shiny, right? I was ecstatic to find an appropriate party to wear my sequined dress to. The drive home in the rain-slick, lamplit dark night was super fun, as every stoplight we drove through made a mini disco-ball-fueled rave in our old car.

On the subject of sequins, they are among my new favourite things. I mean, we’ve discussed how much I like sparkles.

I am wearing my silver sequined shoes everywhere, even though my feet get wet in the rain.

And yesterday, on an unexpected Goodwill run, I found this little number:

I’m thinking: luncheon with my great-aunt, afternoon tea with The Duchess…

expectations

Brittney — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:20:24 +0000

If there is anything foolish that I ever do that irritates my friends to no end it is invest in the lottery.

Powerball, Megabucks, oh you fickle gods of chance. I find myself dreaming of what I’ll do when I win. Buy a cottage, fix it up. Attend school full time, move into a fancy glamourous downtown condo. Pay off my parent’s mortgage. Travel to Australia. Visit DisneyLand for three weeks. Buy that black and white striped Ralph Lauren jacket. Buy more “rich white woman” nautical themed clothes in general. Ride a zebra.

You know, important things! Important things I need! Someday! It will be all mine, and I will dive headfirst into a pool of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck did in DuckTales.

I don’t invest a lot of money in the lottery–when it comes down to it, I’d rather have my dollar bill to buy a pack of M&M’s out of a vending machine, but I faithfully put my $2 in every other week and hope and pray and dream.

Yesterday my sister and I ran to the store to check our tickets. She went first, (“Sorry, not a winner”) and then I pulled out mine.

“Please see cashier.”

My mind exploded with excitement. A million dollars? A gabillionzillion dollars? Ten dollars?! The possibilities were endless. I impatiently waited in line at the customer service desk, flinging angry thoughts at the slow pokes in line ahead of me.

I tapped my red wedge flip-flops. I twirled my hair impatiently and I am completely, one-hundred percent guilty of glaring at the wife-beater wearing, bald man who oh so desperately needed to exchange this neon-green garden hose for the neon-green garden hose that was fifteen-feet longer and SERIOUSLY YOU CANNOT TELL THAT I HAVE JUST WON THE JACKPOT GET OUT OF MY WAY I HAVE A NAUTICAL-THEMED PASHMINA AFGHAN TO PURCHASE.

I finally got to the front of the line and thrust my ticket at Hal, the customer service representative. Hal smiled, took my ticket, inserted it into his machine and handed another slip of paper back at me.

“Sorry, hon,” Hal said, as he tapped his fingers on the plexiglass table, “Lately the system’s been all skewed and been tellin’ people who aren’t winners to come see me. Looks like it just did it to you, too.”

I accepted back my ticket and the receipt declaring that I didn’t win meekly and walked away, tossing both into the nearest trash can as my hopes, dreams, and plans of diamond-encrusted toothbrushes flew away.

It was then that Hal’s words hit me, and I was filled with indignation. People who aren’t winners. People who AREN’T WINNERS? I nearly turned around and gave him a what-for. How DARE he?! I am totally a winner. In fact, I am the winningest person around. I, Brittney, am a winner.

WINNER.

WINNER.

So I fluffed my hair, stomped my foot, and pulled out another $2 to invest in my future. I am going to prove Hal wrong.

I am a winner, Hal. You just don’t understand.

Confessions

Brittney — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:59:18 +0000

I didn’t buy a purse on Sunday.

This might not mean much, but to the people who know me, this is a rather big deal. I love purses.

I have a fair amount of purses. Purses are pretty darn awesome. I have a blue one, a yellow one, a red one, a velvet one, a few black ones, a brown one, one covered in spots, one covered in Newspaper print, one covered in clocks and one covered in patches.

I always have a purse. And have bought at least 3 purses in the last three months.

But this post isn’t about purses. This post is about Sunday. On Sunday I returned home after a long week, and made a fatal comment to my Mother:

“I kind of want to go shopping.”

I’m sure you know what that means. We went shopping. Too much money spent later, I am now the proud owner of several new pieces to my wardrobe, and also some new porcelain bowls to further organize my jewelry collection.

I wasn’t looking for a purse, but you know, you wander. You look. You end up in random sections of the store, perusing rugs and wondering if you need a new hallway runner to, I don’t know, liven up your living space.

And thus, I found myself in the dress section, when all of a sudden, I was assiailed by the shimmer of a thousand sparkling lights! My eyes blinked and I shook my head at the glimmer! What is this, this shiny and shocking sight?

Why, it’s a dress.
That’s my size.
That is $10.

Do I really need to explain what happened after that?

Like most of my purchases… I have no idea when I’ll wear it. My current plan is to wear it on Halloween, along with a flashing globe necklace, and an iPod/speaker hookup blaring “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc. (I’ll be a DISCO BALL! So clever, I am.)

So… yeah. No purses this week, like I said.

leavin’ on a jet plane~

Brittney — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:50:01 +0000

Pssst. The giveaway is over there! It ends tomorrow, July 4th, at 9pm Pacific.

So… Next week I’m going on vacation! I don’t exactly have to catch a plane or a boat or a train, though I am going to brave the ever-terrifying bus ride back allll by myself and let me tell you, re-reading Winona’s experiences with that bus service did not help my terror at all.

But regardless!

This is a photo of me and Savvy, my friend who lives Far Away who I get to go visit. We’re going to enjoy many days in the sunshine, maybe spend some time on a boat, and most likely spend a good chunk of our time (and money) at flea markets and antique stores.

I’ve been meaning to purchase a really nice, expensive swimsuit online for this trip, but because of my work schedule and my easily-distracted personality, (Hey look! Shiny things!) I just recently came to terms that I waited too long to do so. I didn’t really have the time to go swimsuit shopping, so I contented myself with casually looking through the reject-bathing suits in the fitting room and wishing I could find the perfect one.

What were my requirements for said perfect bathing suit?

1. My size. (Sometimes hard to find, sadly.)
2. One piece. (Tankini?! HAHAHAHAAAAA, who are you kidding?)
3. Super flattering. (Can I get a “What, what” ladies?)
4. Red And White Polka-dotted.
5. (the one I could give or take) Style: Semi-vintagey.

I walked into the back warehouse room one night, looking for trashbags and saw it. Messily crumpled in a red-and-white-heap on a table amongst other swimsuits, my swimsuit called to me.

I’m not even going to lie and admit that I dropped the trashbag and ran across the warehouse to examine it. Red. White. Polka-dotted. Cute style, one piece… my size.

YES.

It was even a decent price, and my later trip to the fitting room (Not on work time, I swear!) revealed it to be the absolute perfection in bathingsuit cuts. Cute. Vintagey. Red-and-white-polka-dotty. Flattering. My size!

And now mine.

Not pictured: red lipstick wearing pin-up girl

(Did I mention that there was only one?! FATE.)
Obviously I wanted a red-and-white-polka-dotty swimsuit to match my AMAZING red ruffley umbrella, as well as my red-and-white-polka dotty $3 wedges. (all pictured) While I may never actually be a pin-up model, I content myself in knowing that I already own some of the gear needed.

Sadly, since I’m riding the bus home, the red-and-white umbrella will not actually be making an appearance, but that’s okay… my red wedges and my red lipstick will give me the strength to carry on!

I think this might evolve into another Shopping Advice Tip. ‘Go to the store, the perfect thing might be there, waiting for you, it just might be the wrong time of year, or not what you’re looking for Right At That Moment. Or it might be! Don’t worry about forcing the find.’

Orrrrr something.

make it work

Brittney — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:19:57 +0000

Okay internets, I have a confession:

I am a medieval history (and fantasy) nerd.*

I just thought I’d make that clear. I love it. I love the history, I love the books with unicorns, I love the pretty dresses and knights in shining armor.

My family often compares me to the character of Cecily Cardew from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (who, in the film version constantly imagines herself in states of Romantic Distress)… which really is one of the most accurate descriptions anyone could give me. (Just add in a lot of swearing, an abject love of shoes and hatred of broccoli, and also the tendancy to say the most awkward thing possible very loudly when a crowded room goes silent.)

Anyway, since the ’search’ bar on etsy was getting a little dusty, I thought I’d use it, searching for items labelled “medieval”.

And oh boy, did I find some cool things.

Typing “medieval” under “Handmade” gives me cool things like this Isolde necklace for $165, this stunning Sodalite necklace for $25.

Looking for a different style? this moonstone necklace is super cool and only $35, and griffin pendant is pretty sweet and also only $14!

One of my favourite things about Etsy is the complete range of prices and things you’ll find: if you’re looking to invest in an accessory, chances are you can find something you’ll like, and if you’re looking on the cheap, you’ll find something cool, too!

Besides, where else are you going to find a Lady Godiva necklace?!

(UM, AWESOME!)

Turning the search bar from “Handmade” to “Vintage” gives you some pretty cool stuff too! Like this Architectural drawing of St. Andrew’s (I’d totally frame this and put it on my wall!), and a cool pair of faux-midieval earrings for $39.

Need a unique brooch? It’s only $16, which I count as a deal. (If that’s your thing!)

And of course, EVERYBODY needs an angry viking ring. $60 is a bit steep for me, but for those little angry eyes? It’s worth it.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve come very close to buying this necklace for $22 several times, but I’m afraid it’s too big and heavy for me to pull off. It’s pretty nifty though, no? I can’t buy this one until I finally order this lion necklace from ragtrader (who is AMAZING) that I have been seriously eyeing for about 6 months now.

And kids, I know you want it, don’t bother ordering this, because I already have:

(“Bond of Blood” 70’s Romance Novel: $7.77

*The #1 thing I hate about the medieval era? King Arthur.

the ugliest of ugg

Brittney — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:09:03 +0000

Friends, Romans, Countryladies.

Today I want to talk to you about something very specific.

And that is the subject of ugly fashion.

Now, don’t get your panties in a twist! Everyone has a very different sense of ugly fashion. Most of the time, I love ugly fashion. Then there are times I hate ugly fashion. Whenever my sister and I go shopping, we have an ever running “Ugly shirt contest” where we try to find the ugliest thing in the store. Brown beading, purple cheetah print, giant jewels in unfortunate places, you name it, we’ve found it. Most of the time we’ll find something and generally then have to try it on, just because it’s so ugly.

I found this gem while shopping with a few friends. It jumped out at me from the rack and I had to try it’s little fugly self on.

What it is: a sleeveless hoodie sweater-dress. That’s gray. And not even a good colour of gray, but an almost brown-gray. Here, see for yourself:

Okay, so the colour isn’t that bad, but remember that my skin is nearly translucent pale on the best of days.
Please tell me how this would be flattering on anyone? The little drawstring hints at a waist, but the poochy pocket right at the stomach (or, pooch, as we like to call it) kind of counteracts that, doesn’t it? Who designs this thinking it’ll be a hot thing that girls will love?

Not gonna lie, though, I was sold on the fur hood. I felt like an ICE PRINCESS! The friends I was shopping with just shuddered and told me to put The Thing away. Really now, what kind of friends are these?

So I’m not going to lie, that when I went to the local Goodwill with the ever-amazing Winona, I nearly peed my pants in excitement when I learned that we share a mutual love of ugly fashion.

During this trip, we found several awesome things, a few 80’s dresses, a rocking black sequined jacket for Nona, a military jacket for me, some shoes, a shirt that was clearly MADE for seducing old men with fancy mustaches, and some jackets.

Jackets that looked like couches.

Of COURSE we had to try them on. And see how well our camoflauge worked.

It’s like a Magic Eye! Wherreee am I?

The Elusive Daddy Likey

In conclusion: Fashion is awesome when it’s ugly and you have someone else to appreciate it with. It’s the best way to shop, in my opinion. What about you? Any awesome ugly finds lately? I’d love to start an “ugly fashion” blog/photo collection… Let’s do it!

some new shoes

Brittney — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:02:45 +0000

A few weeks ago I wandered into Goodwill, and not only did I purchase an awesome vintage suitcase, but I also found these shoes:

How awesome are these shoes? Just take a gander at the heels:

Gorgeous, no? I find them to be both terribly ugly and terribly fabulous, which happen to be my top two requirements for any outrageous purchase!

Luckily for me, at this Goodwill had a huge selection of never-owned last-season’s Target brand shoes, and I got these nice Mossimos for a mere $8.99! I still can’t really wear them anywhere, but I’m working on it.

And I would also like to mention that I love these shoes so much they don’t go in my closet with my other shoes. These shoes sit proudly on a chair in the center of my bedroom! (A sad fact that hilariously drives my mother nuts, and proves that I should probably make real-life friends.)

ETA: This is also the first pair of heels I have ever owned that allows me the sensation of being taller than my 5′11″ older sister!

trend-ery

Brittney — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:40:17 +0000

Are nerd glasses in? I honestly don’t get how trends get started and become cool. Having recently seen posts such as this one by Gala Darling, I’m feeling like maybe this is something I can try.

I purchased a pair a few months ago because of a certain tshirt design and haven’t yet had the guts to wear them out of the house.

Here they are:

I don’t know. I feel both like a ridiculous dork/ nerd (SUCCESS!) and also kind of cute, in the, ‘my Dad will look at me and say, “Uh, what the heck?” way’, if that makes any sense.

What do you think?

EDIT: The responses from my family:
My sister: “…oh gosh.”

My Dad: “OH MY GOODNESS YOU ARE SO ADORABLE!”
Me: (blinkblink) “Whoa, okay.”

After 1/2 a day’s wearing they were pretty great! They have a slight magnification, though, which screws with my vision (I already wear contacts) and kind of make me grumpy, so I ended up taking them off at work. It didn’t help that my supervisor took one look at me and said, “I am NOT listening to anything you say until you take those off!” so I complied, lol.

turn up the 8-track

Brittney — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:01:59 +0000

Today I went shopping with Jessica and Laura downtown Portland! It was rather grand. I really didn’t intend on spending my entire spring break doing nothing but shopping, but so far I can’t say that I have any complaints, minus the fact that I haven’t saved any money up for school next term (whoops!).

We went to Powell’s,

Where we learned that “ZAC EFRON IS THE FUTURE”. I mean, everyone knows that he’s the real genius behind dooce, but who knew he was the FUTURE?! Jess was indulgent enough to let me take pictures of her in the same room with that horrific magazine.

I later found a copy of Garth Nix’s Abhorsen trilogy for $24! I’m super excited, I love those books to death and now I have a lovely boxed set! Hurrah for good deals, and hurrah for used books!

We also ran around Forever 21, and I managed to find myself a new purse there!

I have been looking for a brown purse for a good 6 months now. I’ve found several, all with a price tag upwards of $150. Which is actually pretty reasonable, for a rad purse, but is out of my current price range. This lovely little fake brown leather purse for $29.90 really seemed like the perfect fit. Not to mention that this sucker is light! (Which really is a requirement when you’re a dork like me who carries around a planner, a book, a giant iPod and a deck of cards everywhere you go.)

My sister uses the term “schleppy” for this kind of bag. Semi-shapeless, goes with almost everything, comfy and soft… I’m glad I found it! Even though I’m $29.90 poorer, I’ve gained a new friend. And a new addition to the purse collection. (which I really, really, should photograph one of these days!)

Regardless, the day was filled with awesome finds. Now I just need to harness my checkbook in for when I go to 23rd on Sunday…!

we walk

Brittney — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:57:39 +0000

Today my sister and I went antiquing. We’re lucky to live in a town with an old-fashioned Main street, that contains the right kind of antique stores: junky and cheap. You can find all sorts of cool things, like broken cameras, old spurs, discarded earrings, and salt and pepper shakers of all kinds. It’s really the best.

It’s become a tradition for my sister and I to go whenever we’re both stuck at home and bored for whatever reason. Today I caved and bought a necklace I have looked at three times* now:

Isn’t it gorgeous? For $6, I think it was highly worth it. It certainly packs a statement, and is a great add to the rest of my jewelry collection.

What have been your great finds lately?

*Which, for anyone who has ever gone shopping or antiquing should know: is nearly impossible and basically means that I was DESTINED to own this necklace.