fashion | Lamppostings

February 7, 2016
by Melissa Leave a comment

2016 Photo a Day – Days 31-37

Day 31 – Working on low light photos. And Family. It’s the best.

Day 31 2016

Day 32 – A self portrait. I am fascinated with eye colors. They are hard to capture. I’ll be working on getting the rest of my family’s eyes too.

Day 32 2016

Day 33 – The beautiful mountains of Central Oregon on a sunny morning.

Day 33 2016

Day 34 – Bubble bath time.

Day 34 2016

Day 35 – The dojo ladies are going to go on a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies outing so I figured I better get the book finished!

Day 35 2016

Day 36 – Watching a movie with the family and Checkers wants to make sure that he gets some attention too.

Day 36 2016

Day 37 – Power Grid. We own over 200 games. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to go through and play them all as a family – rating them as we go to decide which ones we love and want to keep and which ones it’s time to let go of. Zane won this game. Jude second. Mom and Dad not so much…

Day 37 2016

November 28, 2014
by Melissa Leave a comment

Fashion on Friday – November 28, 2014

I figured I better get these Autumnesque photos out there before Winter gets here. Ha! We’ve had heaps of snow already and I’m loving it!

These outfits are from earlier in the season. My boys and I have a tradition of going to Drake Park in the Fall to take photos. We really live in such a beautiful place and I feel blessed to live in Bend.

So I thought I would share a few photos of them – proud Momma moment. After I took their pictures, I had the bright idea of having my seven year old take my outfit photos on this particular day. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before. He’s been getting into photography so it’s been a good idea for both of us. He’s learning and I’ve got a new photographer!

This is another eShakti dress. Love it! My sister and I both fell in love with it and got it on sale. Amazingly comfortable, great fit and pockets of course! And I think it’s pretty darn cute – a great Fall maxi dress. The fabric is pretty light weight and with the short sleeves, I can probably wear it in the Summer too.

Outfit Details: Dress – eShakti, Boots – Ross

I really do love dressing for cooler weather. I feel like I have so many more options. I’m going to work on not being a hot weather hater though. But seriously, when the weather is cool, I get to wear coats like the one below…

This is a vintage coat I got at a thrift store. I love it so very much. The fabric is amazing. I think I may have actually worn this coat most of the day – I wanted to make sure everyone saw it!

This is a dress from Target from a few years ago. I paired it with some vintage and modern accessories. This necklace was another thrift store find – love it! I think it looks like a mid-century wall hanging. My ring is another vintage earring that I made into a ring.

Outfit Details: Coat – vintage/thrifted, Dress – Target, Belt – ?, Boots – Ross, Leggings – Walmart, Necklace and Ring – vintage/thrifted.

If you are in the States, or if you celebrate Thanksgiving anywhere else, I hope you had a great day. I am so thankful for my life – with its many imperfections and challenges – it truly is a wonderful life. If you are into Black Friday shopping – I hope you find some amazing deals – be kind, have fun, be safe. I will not be venturing out to the shops, but I may have a look around at the online deals.

November 21, 2014
by Melissa 1 Comment

Fashion on Friday – Project Runway Style

My sister recently treated me to an overnight stay in Portland. Portland, Oregon is about half way between Tacoma, Washington where she lives and Bend, Oregon where I live. We met up and it was great to have some sister time together.

My sister and I are both big fans of Project Runway – we always have a text or phone conversation about each episode after it airs. In Season 11, we were both rooting for Michelle Lesniak and were thrilled when she won. She’s a native Portland girl and when I found out when and where we would be for our getaway, I took a chance and contacted Michelle to see if she had an open studio or shop that we could visit. She doesn’t yet have an open studio, but she’s working on it. However, she was so kind to get back to me and invite us to come for a visit. I wanted to surprise my sister, so I just gave her the address and met her there.

Michelle and her intern were so kind and friendly. We talked a bit about the area the studio is in, Michelle’s fabrics and designs, the fashion business and, of course, Tim Gunn! Apparently, he’s as kind and wonderful as he seems on telly. It was so fun to be able to surprise my sister and a thrill to meet Michelle. She’s on Project Runway All-Stars in the current season and we are still huge fans. She’s funny and ever so talented.

So, what does one wear to meet an amazing designer that you really admire? I’m usually a pretty quick dresser, I don’t take a lot of time choosing outfits or trying on multiple things, but that was not the case this time. I have no idea how many things I tried on. It was super fun though because it had me reaching deeper into my wardrobe than I have in a while and trying different things. I wanted to be comfortable as we would be walking around in downtown Portland, I wanted to look cool and interesting, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard. I have no idea if I succeeded on all counts, but I was comfortable and Michelle didn’t look at me with pity or anything. I wore a knit dress with a tulle skirt from Target, an ancient ballet-style top from Target, red tights from Forever 21, shoes from Blowfish and a vintage, articulated owl necklace.

Stephanie and I had so much fun – we stayed downtown at the amazing Benson Hotel, enjoyed Happy Hour at the Portland City Grill with amazing views of Portland, slept well, wandered around Portland, had breakfast at The Urban Farmer inside The Nines Hotel (a Dungeness Crab Omelet!) and then headed over to IKEA and some other shops before heading home to our families. Such a wonderful time together. I’m so thankful for my sister.

Dungeness Crab Omelet!

A spot of pool at the Nines.

The Urban Farmer

Not sure there’s enough room on this sofa!

November 14, 2014
by Melissa Leave a comment

Fashion on Friday – Halloween Edition

So my busy week turned into a few busy weeks. Today, we are having a snow day – enjoying a slower pace and a chance to catch up.

I had so much fun this Halloween and was able to wear my costume four times! Now that’s value.

I am a Doctor Who fan as is now obvious to everyone. It was fun to wear my costume to different events and find those who knew what I was and those who hadn’t a clue (which is ok, but I’m sad that they are missing out).

This outfit was so comfortable which was great as I wore it not only to parties and trick or treating,but also to our school Harvest Festival and to a kindergarten Halloween party that involved projectile vomiting (not me or mine, but very sad for the lad who did)!

Most of my outfit came from Hot Topic – the dress, the head band (which lights up!), the earrings and the necklaces. Boots and shrug from Ross and the petticoat from Domino Dollhouse.

I love my Doctor (we couldn’t find a fez big enough for him and I wouldn’t let him shave his beard) and my Lego Emmet and my black cat.

Do yourself a favor and watch some Doctor Who!

October 17, 2014
by Melissa 1 Comment

Fashion on Friday – October 17, 2014

Another eShakti dress. It’s so comfortable and fun to wear. It’s lined with a cotton lining which will be great for summer. The pattern is quite Fall-like, but the color is light and bright which makes it another great transitional dress. It was raining the day I wore this which is a bit unusual around these parts and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I wore a hat all day! I love hats, but they’re not always easy to wear all day. This hat was super comfy on a cool day. My other issue with hats is just that it can sometimes feel a bit costumey to wear a hat. I try not to let what other people will think affect my choices too much though so I hope to wear more hats this Fall and Winter.

I wore one of my favorite vintage owl necklaces – he’s articulated so he moves a bit. I always feel like I have to add a disclaimer when I talk about my love of owls – I loved owls before it was cool to love owls! This was a necklace I picked up in a thrift store years ago. I shall not let the popularity of owls dissuade me of my love for them!

Outfit Details: Dress – eShakti, Cardigan – Ross, Hat – Target, Necklace – Thrifted, Boots – Ross

I’d like to talk about heels. I love shoes. I love all the wonderful varieties of shoes that exist. I love heels. I also have a closet full of shoes, particularly heels that I love, that I never wear. Some people can wear heels for long periods of time and not suffer too much. I am not one of those people. I do have some heels that I can wear all day as long as I’m not on my feet all day. In the interest of simplifying, I am going to try to wear every pair of shoes in my closet and if I can wear them all day and I love them, I will keep them. If I can’t, then they will be passed on to someone who will hopefully love them and wear them. I’ll have a few exceptions for shoes that I am willing to suffer wearing for special occasions, but they have to especially special.

These shoes – I’ve had good luck with wedges so I had high hopes for these shoes that I picked up at Goodwill. They’re denim as well which I thought would be great to be sort of casual, but still be well-heeled. I didn’t have too much walking to do on the day I wore these, but I did work at the school for a bit. Sadly, these lovely shoes will be making an exit from my closet. They just weren’t comfortable enough and when I went to pick the boys up from school at the end of the day, I was not wearing them. They’re so cute though!

So if I’m not going to wear these heels, I’ll at least keep my very long earrings! I felt like I was wearing a necklace, they’re so long.

Outfit Details: Dress – Lane Bryant, Cardigan – Target, Jeans – Torrid, Earrings – Forever 21, Shoes – Qupid via Goodwill

October 10, 2014
by Melissa Leave a comment

Fashion on Friday – October 10, 2014 (AKA: If Ninjas Attack…)

It got hot again! The nerve. Thankfully, it still cools way down at night. I think we’re heading toward consistent cooler weather from here on out now, though this is Central Oregon, so you never know!

We have an outdoor chalkboard that we made for the boys a few years back. One of the best investments we ever made and to be honest, it didn’t cost much at all. It has consistently been used over the years. It’s also been one of my backdrops for outfit photos.

Anyway, I can see it from the kitchen window and I looked out the other day and saw this lovely drawing and something about ninjas. It took some deciphering, but we finally figured out what the entire message that my lovely older son had written. “If ninjas attack us, I’ll use you as a shield.” So much love.

I engaged in a bit of pattern mixing. Of course, you can always consider leopard print a neutral – right?

Outfit Details: Kimono – Torrid, Cami – Torrid, Jeans – Ross, Shoes – Liz Claiborne (thrifted), Necklace – Vintage (gift from my lovely sister), Ring – Vintage earring converted to ring (made by me)

The silhouette of this outfit felt a wee bit twee, which I don’t really mind, but I like the twist that the print of this dress brings to the outfit – outer space, man! Then there is the fact that I have pegasuses, pegasi, more than one pegasus – flying around my neck! Maybe there isn’t a plural since Pegasus is actually the name of a flying horse. So I guess I have a bunch of flying horses flying around my neck! How wonderful is that?! It’s pretty wonderful.

Outfit Details: Dress – Forever 21, Cardigan – Ross, Shoes – Payless, Necklace – H&M, Earrings – ?

Here’s to the joy of getting dressed!

October 3, 2014
by Melissa Leave a comment

Fashion on Friday – October 3, 2014

Glory! It’s Autumn! My birthday usually “falls” on the first day of Fall. Sadly this year, it was the day after my birthday. Still, it’s Fall! The mornings are crisp and cool, the leaves are changing, and, of course, the style choices have increased! I’m going to ignore the fact that temperatures will be nearly 80F this week.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned my love of the company eShakti before. They make gorgeous clothes with custom fit and styling options at a reasonable price (keep an eye out for promotions and sales to get the best deal). This dress is a lovely summer dress that can transition to cooler temps with the addition of a jacket or cardigan. It’s got a whimsical hot air balloon print which I love. Did I mention that most eShakti dresses come with pockets? The true glory of a great dress.

You can customize eShakti garments to your own measurements as well as changing details such as length, type of sleeve, neckline and even removing pockets (why is that an option?!) for a minimal fee. I think I had this dress shortened.

Love these sunglasses!

Outfit Details: Dress – eShakti, Belt – Torrid, Shoes – Ross, Ring – Old Navy, Sunglasses – Forever 21, Headband – Ross

I wore a jacket! I’ve had this jacket for years – lightweight cotton, three-quarter sleeves – a great transitional piece, and a fun retro vibe.

Another of my favorite places to get clothes from is ASOS. That’s where this dress came from. Again, it’s a lightweight summery dress that can transition well to a new season. I paired it with skinny capris and wedge sandals. A super comfortable, easy to wear outfit.

This is one of the rings that I made out of vintage earrings. I love the detail and design of vintage jewelry – it’s great to find ways to bring it to my modern world.

Outfit Details: Dress (Alice & You) – ASOS, Jeans – Torrid, Shoes – Payless Shoes, Jacket – Ross

Feeling thankful for cooler days, for fun clothes, for the freedom to express myself through fashion!

Lamppostings

Finding and creating adventures in everyday life.

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