Rejection-Praying Mantis Edition

"Hey there good-lookin', do you have plans tonight?"
"Bugger off."
"Hey, wait-up, I just want to..."

"I said, bugger off!"
"Hey! OWWW!"

"Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody..."

I saw all this take place in the space of a few seconds. Clearly, the praying mantis wasn't in the mood to be bothered, and wasted no time ridding itself of the er...pest.  It was interesting how the rejected mantis ran off into the grass as the other stood in the centre of the sidewalk undisturbed by the foot traffic of students from the college. I know the praying mantis is no lightweight-Youtube is full of videos showing how they can sneak up a hummingbird feeder and grab dinner, but I never saw one in a fight like this.

You can learn so much about nature just by looking around. Here, I'm noticing a yellow jacket wasp that thankfully was more interested in the flowers than me. They get aggressive this time of year as the flowers die and the cold takes hold. I'm not particularly afraid of them, but I wouldn't want to disturb a nest or anger one accidentally. We've also had a surprising number of sweat bees, which are harmless.

You might have noticed the buttons are missing from my jacket. I lost one, and as it would be impossible to replace it, I removed them all figuring I'd find replacements. Three years later and...yeah, I still can't find anything I like. As I rarely button a jacket, I've been wearing it as-is, but I really ought to go buy some buttons. Green is surprisingly difficult to match! There's a skirt as well, though I can't remember the last time I wore it as a suit.

I bought the skirt several years ago as the print reminded me of rose windows and it was in pretty shades of blue, green, yellow and red. It is a cotton/rayon blend that shouldn't wrinkle but does-horribly. I've finally moved it to the "donate"pile accepting that as lovely as the print is, life is too short for ironing.

Outfit Particulars:
Handmacher 60's jacket (part of a suit)-had it over 30 years! Can't remember where I bought it.
Pendleton skirt-Goodwill
Green knit top-K Mart
Green vintage shoes-Thrift World
Vintage Morris Moskowitz handbag-Goodwill
Vintage brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage necklace-Sequels
Clamper bracelet-New Life Thrift
Fragrance-Montale Full Incense (errrrr, no. I can appreciate it for perfumery skill, but no. Might work for a nun). It is however keeping insects away, so it might have some use there.

I dunno, it IS a lot of sparkle for a weekday afternoon, but what's the worst that can happen? It isn't like I'll be issued a ticket for wearing rhinestones before seven o'clock. Why does it feel more appropriate in December? Is it the earlier nightfall, or the holiday season that makes it feel more appropriate? It hardly matters as I personally don't give a rat's ass, but it is interesting to think about.

Do you ever build an outfit around an accessory? I'd been looking for something to wear with my Valdrome shoulderbag, but it is so casual I don't have many opportunities to carry it. I rummaged through my wardrobe and came up with this 80's rayon shirt and skirt from women's sportswear company, Chaus. I like separates, but due to the bright gold buttons on the shirt and skirt it is essential to keep them aligned. That ought to be a simple matter of tuck in the blouse and go but...well, I'm really not graceful. I can't even sit gracefully! The belt helps keep things in place though, and what a crazy belt it is.

Much like the bag, this belt doesn't go well with 99% of my wardrobe, but when it does...well, accessories can be magic.

 Outfit Particulars:
Chaus 2 piece set-Goodwill and /hand-Me-Ups (yes, I found the pieces in 2 different shops)
Belt-Goodwill
Valdrome shoulder bag-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage 80's Naturalizer shoes-Thrift World
1940's choker-Goodwill (I think)
Kenneth Jay Lane brooch-Sarpy museum sale
Mosel earrings-Etsy
Vintage bracelet-Sarpy Museum sale
Fragrance-70's vintage Coty Chypre

Bird banding starts again this Saturday, but at a new location as Aksarben Aquarium undergoes renovations. This winter it will be at Hitchcock Nature Preserve (no, the name hasn't been lost on us, and yes it is funny to hold bird banding there) which ought to be interesting as there's an ongoing Hawk Watch study taking place. I don't mind climbing the very tall observation tower, but it does get unbelievably cold and windy up there. A 70 degree F. day on the ground can feel like January up there so I will be wearing my winter gear. If you are in the area Saturday morning (before 11 AM) , bird banding is open to the public, and you can learn a bit about how it is done. It was one of those events ten years ago that started Danny's involvement with the group of researchers-we just thought it was something fun to do with a toddler on a Saturday morning. Who knew?! 

Well, we've finally made it to the best month of the year-Rocktober.

Rock on, dudes.

Autumn Hues

Picture Heavy Post warning.

 We're having a brief return to summer with heat and humidity better suited to July, but I know too well that it won't last but a few days. The evenings have been cool, which makes sleeping pleasant. I do enjoy this time of year, still having opportunities to wear lightweight items as well as the woolens. Layering is definitely a good strategy.

 The jacket lasted about five minutes outside, but went back on as soon as I stepped indoors. This is my, "Don't fuck with me" pose, also known as the, "Clean up your shit, or it is going in the bin" pose. Depends on the circumstances.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you because my ears are already full of excuses. Try again later."

Outfit Particulars:

Dress-God knows. It is so old I forgot when I bought it. 

Jacket-Hand-Me-Ups

Kate Spade bag-Goodwill

Clogs-Hand-Me-Ups

Sara Coventry earrings-Garage sale

Brooch (on dress)-Hand-Me-Ups

Lippy-Wine With Everything (More like, "Whine" around here lately)

Fragrance-Vintage formulation Cabochard

Tuesday brought a bit of paisley x 2 with the addition of a scarf. 

Not that I required a wool scarf, but hey, matching! I don't judge how you get your thrills, okay?

Well, maybe I do...a little.

 These beautiful vintage clip earrings were .25 cents at the Sarpy County Museum Garage Sale.

 Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Willi of California Dress-Goodwill
Vintage wool scarf-Hand-Me-Ups
Brooch-Yard Sale
Clamper bracelet-gift years ago
Other bracelet-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage earrings-Sarpy County Museum sale
BCBG-Goodwill
Belt-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Fragrance-Maroussa

Oh look, another brown handbag. I'm consistent, if nothing else.

The vanity in the powder room is much higher than the upstairs. I didn't have any trouble getting my leg up, but down was another story! 

Thursday was, "Dress like your Nana Day" so I dug out this frumpy spotty dress and a checked vintage Handmacher jacket. It wasn't really "Dress Like Your Nana Day", but had it been, 

I was ready with appropriate attire. I miss Clara more and more as I get older. I made a prune plum torte this week and almost cried that I couldn't share it with her. No one loved prune plums like my nan. Anyway, this is exactly the sort of combination she would have worn, though with considerably less pattern mixing. 

Here's a rare photo of both grandmothers sitting together without fighting (at least long enough for the photo). Alice is on the left, Clara on the right. Alice was more fashionable, but Clara was more stylish. I probably dress a bit like both of them on any given day. That's not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned.

The band has yellowed, but the watch itself is in nice condition. I have two identical watches now, so perhaps I'll try replacing the band on one and see how it looks.

I was afraid these Italian made earrings would catch my hair horribly, but to my delight, they didn't.

Outfit Particulars:

Dress-Goodwill

Vintage Mario Forte for Handmacher jacket-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoes-Goodwill

Earrings-Sarpy Museum Garage Sale

Sara Coventry brooch-Sarpy County Museum Yard Sale (.50 cents!)

Mod vintage watch (the centre spins when wound)-Sarpy County sale (I found two!)

Spanish tapestry purse-Salvation Army

Fragrance-Vintage Formulation Samsara (still makes me sneeze. Bummer)

 Finally, I dug out my very favourite autumn skirt for the first wear of the season. In the sun, the coppery colour shows better, but even on a dull day, I still feel like a (recently discontinued flavour) Quality Street. I'm not really a toffee person myself, but I do adore this skirt (Really people, Christmas isn't ruined forever. They've changed the flavours before, the Earth still turns, life goes on).

 Anyone for an absurdly over-priced French handbag? I didn't think so. Mine was NWT at the Goodwill for a fiver. This isn't my typical style of bag, but it was so nicely made, and brown (always a selling point for me) I bought it anyway.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage jacket (part of a suit)-long gone vintage shop in Brookline, Massachusetts
Skirt-Goodwill
Shoes- K Mart a few years ago
Purse-Goodwill
Vintage polyester crepe blouse-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Bangles-all over
Vintage earrings with seashells and flecks-Sarpy County Museum Sale-.25 cents
Vintage brooch-Mum's
Fragrance-Vintage formulation Opium

Whew, that was a lot of outfits. I apologise for the mega-posts, but life has been so upside-down lately I don't know if I'm coming or going. You could be worse things than busy though, so I'll not complain too much. 

I'm headed to an Alpaca farm tomorrow. I'll be wearing old shoes. 

Hope you're having a splendid weekend.