..follow the yellow brick...wall

I went thrifting to try to find a new purse the other day and found 2! I also found a couple of great blazers and a pair of sweet cutout oxfords, all of which will probably be showing up soon in outfit posts.  And, while we were out I also spotted this great wall downtown and couldn't resist stopping to take a few pics.

..my little black dress..

 Usually about once every week or two, I find myself reaching for the same dress in my closet.  It's the one with a interesting history, the one that fits so perfectly, and the one that is ever so versatile, of course my LBD.  

I actually bought this dress for Halloween 2004.  I went as Holly Golightly and the dress was actually a little bit too big then.  I bought it at the best vintage shop that Fort Smith ever knew, Old Vogue, which was owned by a lovely woman who obviously loved old things as much as I do now.  Unfortunately, Old Vogue has long since closed its doors, but I will always remember sifting through those great vintage clothes and wishing I had the guts to wear them. I only have one other thing from there, a cool '60s sweater that I need to get out and do a few repairs to. 

Luckily, I have developed a tiny bit more curves since 2004, and this dress now fits like it is meant to.  I have contemplated using it to make a pattern for more dresses, but have yet to get around to it.  It has probably seen better days.  I have made many repairs through the years so it will eventually be disassembled and moved on to that higher purpose.

Until it does fall apart I will keep wearing it.  Right now my favorite thing to wear with it is this vintage Dior belt that I got at an estate sale, my goto Melani heels, and whatever scarf that I am feeling at the moment.  Today I also threw in this funny pair of '70s sunnies that I got a few weeks ago.

For those of you who don't know the area, these pics were taken behind one of the local WalMarts right in the middle of town. I was really surprised at what a good location it turned out to be.  And this is the first run with the camera that my Grandpa John gave me (thanks!), and it seems to be handling well!

..fort smith find..

I have been a bit of a slacker lately.  I haven't been feeling like doing outfit posts or spending a ton of time on my blog.  However, I have had a few other marshmallows in the fire (sorry I like them better than irons).  I have been working on getting my etsy shop organized.  I finally cleared a regular spot for taking pictures and it has inconveniently been filled with our old mattress and boxsprings.  So, alas I am already getting behind on my shop updates from where I'd like to be.  It is pretty cool to see feedback on items, even if people are not committed to buying, which I totally understand, or are as penniless as I am, they can still show their love by adding Favorites!  

I have been trying to get back to basics this spring.  By that I mean the basic things that make me happy.  I am trying to pry myself away from the winter habit I developed of spending hours on the computer every day.  This time of year I feel the need to be out and about embracing the world.  I am so ready for a camping trip or a day hike.  Well, in these photos it may seem like I am out in the wilds, but only in a small way.  Mike spotted this spot one day.  It is actually a road to nowhere, totally dead end except a couple of access roads to businesses.  It was a really awesome location right on the edge of town.

 

*hat & belt- thrifted vintage

*bag- gift from Kim

*shirt- american eagle

*jeans- target

*shoes- antonio melani

..a walk in the park..

I have been so ready for spring for some time now.  I love to be able to be outdoors in the sunshine, and I do not like the cold.  I really don't deal with it well.  I have circulatory problems and end up spending most of the winter curled up under a blanket, sitting on a heating pad, surrounded by my pets to keep me cozy.  Yeah, that doesn't sound too bad, but it really isn't good for productivity.  We have still been having some chilly nights, but I am so glad to be able to actually enjoy my days.

Mike and I were able to take advantage of one such day.  We packed a snack picnic of pickle eggs, crackers, cheese, kippered herring, and juice, and headed down to the Janet Huckabee Nature Reserve.  We were keeping our eyes out for some fauna to go with all the flora and we spotted a lone deer crossing a path.  Other than that is was all lovely blooms and  green grass.

*sweater & shirt- vintage

*belt- handmade

*jeans- old navy

*sandals- naturalizer

..weather or not I like it..

The weather here is classically very, very unpredictable.  But, come on! This stuff is really over the top.  Here is last Thursday..

 I got to wear my new shoes!  I love these puppies, they are surprisingly comfortable.  They were more than I usually spend on shoes, but (yay!) I had a Dillards gift card so they only cost me $20! 

Shaping up to be a lovely spring, right?

Ummm,  think not. Winter was not quite finished with us yet.  It started snowing Saturday night which we all figured would soon melt away.

  I mean it was in the 70s two days ago.  The ground was totally warm.  However, that did not deter our little blizzard.  It kept on snowing all night and all day and it was really sticky, wet snow.  Perfect for building snowmen, and also perfect for breaking tree limbs and apparently chicken runs.  Our electric went out several times through the night and then stayed out early Sunday.  We have well water at our house which has an electric pump, so when we woke to a cold house and no water we were not very happy.  We went to the gym to shower then went to Cracker Barrel for some much needed comfort food. 

When we got back home we had to deal with the caved chicken run.

I was not thrilled to spend my day off shoveling poopy snow.

This picture really sums up my feelings for the day.  My back still hurts!

That was more snow than we have gotten here in years, too bad it was such bad timing.

 

Spring outfit

*head scarf & necklace- gifts

*shirt- kohl's

*skirt- handmade by me!

*shoes- antonio melani

Winter outfit

*hat- thrifted

*navy coat & jeans- old navy

*snow shoes- sketchers

..downtown..

It has been quite some time since I have been downtown.  I can't even remember the last time.  At least several months, crazy.  I had not realized that much time had passed.  Friday Mike was doing backup for Timm Tayshun at Hero's Bar, so downtown is where headed.  I was hoping that the weather would be nice, but alas it was oh so cold again.  The show went well.  Short but sweet, so to speak.  We are such old homebodies lately that we were glad to be heading home before 1.  

I love the old buildings in the area.  So we took advantage of some of them.

 

  

  

  

  

 

 

*blouse & purse- goodwill

*coat- tjmaxx

*cardigan and jeans- old navy

*scarf- vintage thrifted

*shoes- converse

*earrings & necklace- vintage gifts

..the fifth season..

Saturday, we went to the Darklight Tattoo 3 year anniversary party.  Fun times.  While we were taking a breather, Mike and I wandered the halls of the Fifth Season Inn taking pictures. A much enjoyable night.

 

 

 

*earrings- Simply Different on Etsy

*cardigan& blouse- old navy

*belt- vintage

*purse & scarf- vintage thrifted

*jeans- rue2 thrifted

*shoes- soda