Top 5 Random Videos I obsessively watch on YouTube

1.  Apartment Tours

I’m nosy, especially when it comes to home decor. There’s a reason I love apartment therapy and that HGTV is the background sound to my home life, I love to see how people style their spaces. So it wasn’t long until I randomly discovered apartment/home tours on YouTube.  I’ll admit many of the apartments rely heavily on IKEA for decor, but everyone has different taste so it can be fun to see how people style those pieces. There are some that are more unique, like the ones above, which are always nice to find. But I’ve seriously found myself watching apartment tours on repeat for way longer than I should.                              

2. Thrift Hauls

I enjoy looking at what people find at thrift stores/ flea markets. Watching thrift hauls really gets my thrifting mojo going and fulfills that thrill for times when I’m not in the mood to thrift or can’t for whatever reason.


3. Lookbooks

Lookbooks are fun simply to see the outfits people put together, but it’s also a good place to find some outfit inspiration. There have been times when I’m unsure how to style an item and have turned to lookbooks for inspiration, they can be very helpful.

4. Thrift / Flea Market shopping videos

These videos are even better than thrift hauls as the people take you with them to thrift stores/ flea markets. It’s fun to see what other people are looking for at the thrifts. I follow some YouTubers that do these videos that search for things I know little or nothing about and don’t collect, but it’s still fun to learn about what they’re into and see what they find. For example Pat from Pat the NES Punk searches for retro video games and toys at Flea Markets around his San Diego home and Lazy Game Reviews thrifts for vintage video games, PC games, old computers, computer accessories, as well as other vintage electronics. Will I collect these things? prolly not, but it’s fun to learn more about them and get a secondhand thrift high.

5. Daily/ weekly Vlogs

I love a good reality show and Vlogs are basically self-made reality shows, with slightly less drama. For some reason even mundane things like grocery shopping or what the person is watching on TV can be interesting in a vlog. I think vlogs can satisfy that voyeur side we all have.

Skirting the Issue

Skirting the Issue

Skirting the Issue by cleopatrajonez featuring a zipper skirt
  

     Since about mid-March I’ve been scoring the internet and local retail/thrift stores for the perfect summer dress. Unfortunately I haven’t found anything I’ve liked enough to buy. In fact I’ve been having a pretty dismal time trying to find dresses in general that I like.  Luckily though great skirt options have become abundant. So, I couldn’t help myself from splurging on  few skirts for summer. Here are a few of the skirts I’ve been drooling over lately. 

These are a few of my favorite things (this week)

1. Gabifresh’s striped dress and sneaker wedges.  When sneaker wedges first hit the runway I was skeptical, way skeptical. I like sneakers and am OK with wedges but the look of a sneaker with all the reduced comfort of a wedge didn’t really sound amazing. Then I kept seeing them and when I saw Gabi’s take I kinda fell in love. I’m still not sure I’ll be plunking down the cash to participate in this trend, but It has inspired me to dust off my sneakers and incorporate them into outfits outside of pants.

Image via Gabifresh



2. Nicolette Mason’s shoe collection. I’ve followed Nicolette’s blog for a couple years now and love her style. I knew her shoe collection was drool worthy but when I saw all the glittery goodness in one photo I’m even more envious of her awesome shoes. Check out her interview here with Glitter Guide.

Image via The Glitter Guide



3. This fabulous lady’s street style via the ModCloth blog. I saw this image on pinterest and immediately loved it. The cat eye glasses and the mint and polka dots, this lady has some serious style..

Image via ModCloth Blog

4. Star Trek Decor. I’m kind of a trekkie.  I’m not a super serious I speak Klingon and go to star trek conventions one, though I’d totally go to one. But I do like star trek. I’ve watched a lot of the original series and some of next generation. So I kind of love all the star trek paraphernalia I’ve found via pinterest. Most notably this awesome vintage light and these cool pillows.

vintage star trek light, image via Retro Renovation

star trek pillows via Yellow Bug Boutique

5. The coolest waffle iron ever. Waffle chair anyone?

apparently it’s a prototype, Image via google images and pinterest

6.  This pineapple slicer. I love pineapple but don’t like paying extra for the pre-cut stuff and aren’t a huge fan of carving it manually. So, when i saw this I was kind of in love, I think I need one.

Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer, image via pinterest

7. JULIA SARR JAMOIS. Her style, her hair, I love it all.

 *all images via google images

8. Jewelry from Nasty Gal. 

All images via Nasty Gal



9. This collar from ASOS. My mom has a vintage collar that I thought I could wear but it has some stains, tears, and is in need or repair. I will attempt to fix it but in the meantime this collar from ASOS is a close match to it and I’m kind of in love with it.

Image via ASOS

                                                                    image via ASOS

Summer Wishlist

Summer Wishlist

Summer Wishlist by cleopatrajonez featuring a lace dress


With warmer weather, green grass and buds on trees I find myself pining for the long warm days of summer. Of course this also means dreaming up outfits for those warm summer days and nights. The list above is a collection of things I’m currently looking for in thrift stores, possibly DIY projects and some items I’m contemplating buying retail. This set is maxi free because I’ve recently acquired two maxi skirts, so they’re no longer on the top of my look-for list. 

1. Lace dress. I haven’t been sure whether or not to get a lace dress for awhile. Now I’m kind of sold on the idea and am on the look out for a cute lace dress.

2. A Cute pair of wedges. Though I have a pair of cute thrifted wedges I’m still on the lookout for a nice pair of strappy wedges. I’m also looking for some more flats since most of mine have seen better days.

3.  Retro inspired Glasses. Though I still love my current glasses I’ve been pining for a new pair for a while. I’m pretty into the retro inspired styles that are trendy at the moment. I figure since my current glasses are pretty classic I can go for a trendier look. At first I wanted a wayfarer but now I’m leaning towards the half-rim wayfarer-esque ones above. 

4. A cute and easy summer dress. I have a bunch of dresses but I’m always on the lookout for a fun flirty summer dress . Basically a dress that’s light and breezy and works well from day to night. 

5. Black and white striped T. I’ve been looking for a while for a chunkier black and white striped T-shirt. I plan to pair it with my new maxi skirts for a cute and casual look. So far I’ve had no luck at the thrift store and am tempted to buy the one above from Zara. 

6. Collar. Collars have been trendy or awhile but for one reason or another I haven’t acquired any clothes with collars or any detachable ones. I’m currently looking for a detachable one that tickles my fancy. I’d love to find a really cool vintage one or a cheap one. I’ve also seen some really cool peter pan collar DIY’s that I might try as well.

7. Chambray button down. I’ve been looking for a chambray button down for the last month or so. This is another thing I plan to pair with my new maxi’s. I’ve found some in thrift stores but none were perfect, so the search goes on. The one above is from Old Navy and I’m slightly tempted to buy it, but I still have that voice in the back of my head that knows I can find one for cheap at the thrift store. 

8. Colored Pants. I didn’t jump on this trend when it emerged this fall but I’m now ready to embrace the look. I got some cobalt pants from Target that I love and now colored pants have made it onto my list of things to look for at the thrift store.

2011 asos purchases

2011 asos purchases

          
             Since I’m newly re-unemployed I’m going back to my “don’t buy any new (non thrift/ secondhand) clothes until employed” pledge. I may have to cave and buy a couple pairs of pants at some point, but I’m gonna try and look for them awhile in thrift stores first. Anyway while I was still technically employed (last week) and Asos was having a sale, I decided I should go for it and buy a few last minute pieces I’ve been drooling over for a while. As you can see this year I’m all about the statement Jewelry, which is good since one of my weaker fashion skills is accessorizing. I’m hoping to step up my accessorizing game this year and, of course, channel Liz Taylor as Cleopatra as much as possible. I’d been drooling over the statement necklace ever since I saw it on Asos and since it was on sale and back in stock I decided the time was right to buy. The earrings weren’t on sale but are so cute I couldn’t resist. The mesh shirt is a bit of a departure for me, especially since it’s January and cold. I bought this black forever 21 dress a couple years ago, as a bit of an impulse buy, that I really like but it’s sleeveless. I don’t mind sleeveless but this is a short black tube dress and wearing it as is just didn’t feel very me. I’d been looking for a good sheer/mesh shirt to put under it but hadn’t found anything good, so when I saw this online I knew it would be perfect. I still have to try it on with the dress and make sure it works though. There was another item, a mesh bodysuit, on Asos that also would have worked. But, years of Dance leotards and  less then fond memories of bodysuits I wore when I was 5 deterred me from buying it. I figured this shirt would get me more mileage, it’ll work well with the dress, as a shirt with a tank top underneath during the summer and possibly with a blazer during the winter. Anyway if I hate it with the dress I can always return it and get the bodysuit (same price). Finally I’ve been lusting after this red knit dress for a while. It has a 50’s cut to it and seems a little Cleopatra to me. I think with a statement necklace and some cute shoes it’ll be fabulous. Anyway you should be seeing these in outfit posts as soon as I receive them and I’ll let you know how they are in person.

          So after my few months of relatively little thrifting (gasp) I’m getting back in full gear for the new year. First though, I think I’m gonna go through my closet and see what I can donate and try to come up with creative way to wear stuff that’s I already own but rarely wear or haven’t worn yet. I love thrifting but I’m gonna try and spend as little money as possible, period, until I get another job. I’m also gonna try and be more selective while thrifting. I’m usually pretty good at this but there’s always room for improvement. So that should keep be busy for a while and hopefully drum up some content for the blog as well. 

Recently Aquired

Recently aquired
     
            Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I got a new to me computer and have not been able to find the disk for my camera’s software and have been a bit lazy to use the other computer to post. But, I will definitely post my new year’s outfit and blog more in the new year.  I haven’t really acquired much fashion-y things lately. I’ve been waiting for after Christmas sales, been trying to save money and haven’t been to many thrift stores. Anyway I figured I’d give an update on the things I’ve recently bought/ received for Christmas.
1. In November after lusting after this Asos dress for a while, I finally caved and bought it as a birthday present to myself. It had been sold out in my size for a while so when it came back in stock, in my size and on a weekend when they had a 20% off coupon code I just couldn’t resist.  It’s sparkly and fun and I’m totally in love with it.
2. If you haven’t noticed I’m going through kind of a Cleopatra phase, which basically means I’m obsessed with statement jewelry and simple solid colored dresses. When I saw this necklace on A Beautiful Mess, it was just too perfect. Very Cleopatra. But, it’s a bit pricey so I asked for it for Christmas and I got it! It’s definitely my favorite gift this year and I’ll be working it into an outfit post soon.
3. As you know my mission this fall was to find knee high boots. While I’m still in search for more lovely boots I finally made a purchase earlier this month. I found these boots on Payless.com while casually surfing and immediately liked the style and price. I haven’t been able to wear them much, the pitfalls of a work uniform, but you’ll definitely be seeing them soon.
4. I finally caved and bought the Nasty Gal draped across dress. I ended up getting it in Melon, which wasn’t my first or second choice but the only color I liked left in my size. I’m still not 100% on the color but it’s pushing me outside of my color comfort zone and it’s growing on me. I do, though, love the cut of the dress and was pleased to find that the deep V doesn’t drape as deeply as shown in the above picture.  It’ll be fabulous in the summer and I’ll try to figure out a way to wear it in the winter as well.
5. This summer I became obsessed with Melody Ehsani Jewelry when browsing the jewelry section on Karmaloop. These earrings were available in the summer but by the time I got any money they were out of stock. Luckily the designer has them for sale on her personal site.  I asked for them (in gold) for christmas and got them. They’re huge but super cool and totally go with my Cleopatra phase, I mean they have king tut on them!

Anyway I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or just a good December 25th. I probably won’t be posting until the New Year so I hope you have a fun New Year’s Eve and I’ll be back January 1st, 2012 with a new outfit post!