Casual Weekend Looks

Oh caftan, my caftan

 This is my Sunday afternoon in summer look. I can't be bothered styling my hair, or matching up tops and skirts at the weekend, so caftans and float-type dresses have become the unofficial rule. I save the tricky stuff for weekdays. A stack of plastic bangles in bright colours will dress up just about anything, not that this dress really required dressing up.

Here's a close-up of the animal print.

I belted the dress as it is so large it kept sliding around at the shoulders. The sash keeps it in place without looking too strange on a dress that wasn't designed for a belt. There are two generous pockets that meant I could have skipped the handbag. I love that. Sometimes I just want to take a quick walk to the post box, or the Walgreen's without carrying more than a wallet and keys. 

Outfit Particulars:

Indian-made (I know, it looks Mexican) float dress-Can't remember, but it was thrifted

Bakelite bangles-all over

Necklace and earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Straw Bag-Goodwill

Belt-came with another dress

Fragrance-Madonna Truth or Dare (aka "Fake Fracas")

I must confess, I've been seduced by dungarees. Dress them up with heels, or down with a tee, they're perfect for (almost) any occasion (in Nebraska anyway) and cost all of $29.00 at the local farm supply store. These are made by Key and as the label says, they are the Aristocrat of Overalls. I'd say that's an accurate claim. 

Perfect attire for an evening of arcade games and putt-putt golf at the Family Fun Center on Q Street. The problem with a pair of dungarees is once you start wearing them, you'll want to wear them all the time. I much prefer changing into these at the end of a day than sweatpants, but then I've never owned a pair of sweats I thought were comfortable. I haven't gone full-on 90's and worn them with a cropped-top and heels yet, but "never say never"!  I'm wearing clogs in this photo. 

Here's a better look at that Betsey Johnson bag. As per my rules, "Two is a coincidence, three is a collection", I now have a collection of Betsey Johnson bags. This one was just made for classing-up a pair of dungarees.

Finally, what's easier to wear than a Hawaiian dress? I skipped the belt, stuck some flowers in my hair and was ready to go in under five minutes. You can't go wrong with white accessories in summer.

Of course, the best white and blue accessory is a Cubs "Win" flag, which I uh...wish I had the opportunity to fly a bit more often. Ahem. Go Cubs!

Do you have a favourite casual look you rely on when you're just not feeling inspired to do much more than take a shower?

I'll Have a Blue Hawaiian Without You

A Blue Hawaiian cocktail sounds pretty good right now, but I'd need to go out and buy Curacao. Better stick to Pimms and lemonade instead.

 I found this dress in a box I'd forgotten about, and have no memory of having purchased it. It isn't vintage, but it easily passes. I was in the mood to wear something cheerful. How'd I do?

I waited in the car while Mr. ETB popped into the Indian market for curry leaves (and a deep-fried snack he ate before returning to the car). Bored, I photographed my new (to me) vintage shoes, but the real star of this photo is that blue sky out the window.

 Car-selfie using the mirror on the sun-visor. I was really bored. I think the "fried snack" was probably plural, as he was in there quite some time.

 Outfit Particulars:
Jones New York dress-can't remember
Blue vintage beads-Goodwill
Flower pin-Tiff and Tam
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage sandals-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Hair Flowers-Tiff and Tam
Fragrance-Guerlain Guet Apens

I made the first sweet corn of the season to get summer started.

 Yes, I own corn-on-the-cob dishes, and plastic holders for the ends. I live in Nebraska. That's not an excuse so much as an observation. It took 16 years, but I've, "Gone Native."  I still don't like football. Sorry.

I have more corn and vegetarian hot dogs for our dinner tomorrow, and then we're off to the park to practise Danny's pitching. I never thought I'd be purchasing a baseball glove for myself, but he needs someone to pitch and catch with. I went to the used sporting goods store and found an exceptionally nice glove for $14.00. I'm a better catcher than pitcher. I'm a bit wary as two of my worst childhood injuries happened playing baseball, with the worst seeing me knocked-out in a neighbour's yard. I've had more concussions than an NFL player (that's not an exaggeration). It probably explains quite a bit about my personality! Fell down the basement stairs head-first, baseball injury, drove my bike into a car in the alley (miracle I wasn't run over but it was my fault. I still feel bad for the fright I gave the poor old man driving), fell from a tree, ice skating injury...and then there were the broken bones. So yeah, I'm thinking about wearing a batting helmet to play catch with my kid in case he beans me with a hard ball. I can't afford any more brain injuries. 

I had a very lucky visit to the Goodwill "Up North" that I rarely visit. Three full, unused bottles of perfume (Tuscany per Donna 3.4 oz, $3.99 Clinique Happy (meh) 3.4 oz, $4.99 and Shiseido Zen, $2.99) and an extravagant, over-the-top Carol Dauplaise necklace from the 80's for $4.99. I spotted it in the case as soon as we walked in, and I stood there waiting for someone to open it lest someone else come along and buy it out from under me. We came home and I did a bit of research-it sells for a nice chunk of change online. Mr. ETB was impressed that I could spot it right away, but after so many years, I've become good at spotting quality. That's part of my logic for not shopping with a phone. I see people looking things up before buying them, but I prefer to trust my gut feeling. At least if I'm stuck with it, I'll enjoy the item. Anyway, I was clearly chuffed.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Just Add Idiots

The closest I'm getting to Hawaii these days is my collection of shirts and dresses. Our weather has been tropical, but without a beach, of course. Oh well, we'll make do. Sunday was, "Act Like an Idiot in Front of the Goodwill Day" in Papillion, Nebraska so...

We had an audience gather to watch our antics, and they were happy enough to show their approval. Danny kept looking for a place to hide, but we had fun! Sometimes, I think we should pass a hat and get paid for our foolishness.

Outfit Particulars:
Jane M Hawaiian dress (really, a muu muu but I belted it)-Goodwill
Bamboo bangles-Hand-Me-Ups
Plastic bangles-Goodwill
Purple ring-K Mart
Shell earrings-World Market
Macrame handbag-Goodwill
Shoes-K Mart
Fragrance-Elizabeth Taylor Gardenia

It was blowing a gale outside, so I kept my hair wild. I know when to give up! I like off-the shoulder dresses as I have ok-ish shoulders, and the flounce hides my bingo wings. Strategic placement of ruffles can disguise quite a bit.

Earlier in the week, I tried out the other Heartbreaker Repro dress I found at Goodwill. This one is better made than the blue dress, but it still has trouble with sleeves that won't quite press flat. The inside of the neckline is also poorly sewn and really could have done with a bit of interfacing. There's a tie-waist, but the length is too short to make a proper bow. Again, I don't want to sound as though I'm saying these are the worst dresses I've seen-they're not, and the fabric is quite nice. As I bought them re-sale I can't say if they were seconds that were sold with, "As-is" issues. I can say that the two dresses I've tried so far haven't impressed me but perhaps the third is a charm-I'll let you know.

Cranberry is such a wearable colour for most people, and it goes with almost everything. I did beige here, but cranberry and pink is another combination that goes in and out of popularity. I do typically think of it as an autumn/winter shade but it felt perfect for a warm July day, so I ran with it. I don't know about you, but I get into colour combination ruts (blue and green, anyone?) and it is good to challenge myself with less obvious combinations now and again. I recently purchased a vintage pure silk, navy blue pleated skirt and I am positively struggling with how to wear it. I know I can do better than a flowing white crepe blouse, but the obvious match hasn't struck me yet. I'm sure it will, eventually. Investment pieces can take their time in my wardrobe as they're not likely to get the once-and-done treatment of cheaper vintage. I have the rest of my life to figure out how to style it-and I plan to be around for a while!

Outfit Particulars:
Heartbreaker vintage repro dress-Goodwill
Naturalizer wedge-heeled sandals-Goodwill (I really got my $3.99 out of these!)
Vintage Collins-style bag-Salvation Army, Lincoln
Vintage berry-basket earrings-yard sale
Vintage cinnabar bangle-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage bakelite bangle-Salvation Army
Red ring-Goodwill
Cherries brooch-Thrift World
Hair flower-Tiff and Tam
Fragrance-Pink Innocencia (stooopid name, great fragrance)


Finally, I spotted this game of chance at a gas station out in the country.

"Hey Vern, whatcha doin' this weekend?"
"Oh hey there Willard, I thought I'd go down to the Mobil and try gettin' into their Bonus Hole."

Bonus Hole.

Aw geez, Bonus Hole?!

I'll leave it at that.

Cliche? Kiss My Corn-Fed Ass!

Oh look, a Nebraskan cooking corn. How original. 

 Corn from the southern United States is finally showing up in our supermarkets, which provided me with an opportunity to share my favourite technique for roasted corn. We won't get local corn for a few months, but you know Nebraska-if we have to go fifteen minutes without thinking about/talking about/or eating corn, we might well die! We even put it in our cars as fuel.

This is how I roast corn without using a grill:

To remove corn from cobs:
Stand ear of corn on end, and with a sharp knife scrape downward. It helps to do this over a cutting board, or into a bowl.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a bowl, combine cut corn kernels with 2-3 tablespoons corn oil (depending how much corn you have). Add whatever herbs and spices you like (I did tarragon tonight, but chili powder works well if you plan to serve refried beans) and salt to taste. Mix well and spread on a rimmed-edge baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, stir, and cook another 10-15 minutes until lightly browned.

Serve hot or cold. I served this tonight over a bed of lettuces and baby greens from our garden.

 Speaking of the garden, I put up netting as a trellis for the peas this year. We'll see how it goes-I'm not sure I like the look of a volleyball net in my garden! The spinach, kale, scallions, and lettuces are growing like mad. The sorrel came back even better this year as well as the borage and a few clusters of violas that overwintered.

 Fat Frog is back in his favourite garden spot, munching on sorrel.

 My columbines bloomed. They overwintered in the pot. I thought for certain they were dead, and I'm glad I was too lazy to tip the dirt out of the pot last winter! It is a warm, sheltered spot in front of the house, and it gets the exhaust from the tumble dryer vented out beside it.

 I bought this planter last weekend because...OBD.  I have "No eyed deer" what I'll plant in it.

 Come on heirloom rocket...grow. Mr. Froggy will play a song for you called, "Grow already you *#$@&%^^(_!!! lettuce!" There's a cluster of  some other lettuce in there that seems to be doing fine.

Anyway, everything is greening up nicely, but I know better than trusting the weather. We're really not safe until the second week in May, at least for more delicate items. I'm growing okra, cumin, carrots, and other vegetables that can't go outside quite yet. I have carnation seedlings in my sunny windowsill that are doing well, and hopefully they will survive. This weekend is the big plant sale in Lincoln, and that's where I like to buy my herbs. A few have lived in my sunny window, but aren't ready to move out. The bay laurel is still alive by some miracle, as are the lime tree and gardenia. 

The "Hall Tree" had a Spring makeover. I haven't removed the owl's Santa Cap because I don't quite feel comfortable climbing a chair to do it. Eventually, he'll get a July 4th flag or something. 

Someone arranged the books artfully at Hand-Me-Ups (it wasn't me, but I know the guilty party!). Sort of a public service announcement. 

Outfit Particulars:

1980's Hawaiian Creations vintage dress-Goodwill

Cardigan-Dots in Revere, MA about 16 years ago

Vintage beaded necklace-Salvation Army, Lincoln

Bakelite bangles-Salvation Army, Goodwill, Hand-Me-Ups (aka, "All Over")

Vintage vinyl handbag-Goodwill

Vintage Natrualizer sandals-Thrift World

Vintage crystal clip earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Vintage Brooch-Had it so long, I forgot!

Floral hair clip-Tiff and Tam about 10 years ago

I'm still blowing my nose like a damn foghorn, and coughing up hairballs (meow!) but it looks like this might be less severe than I feared (fingers crossed). I'm taking things easy anyway as next week is going to be madness around here, but hopefully this post doesn't sound as scatter-brained as I feel. People tell me I'm still making sense (but they're my friends, and your friends are supposed to say that whilst thinking, "She's lost the plot."). 

I must walk past this memorial wall on the campus several times a week, but never noticed one of the inscriptions:

I wonder if you could get away with that today? When the wall was dedicated in the 80's, people still had a sense of humour. 

Geez. Is it really only Tuesday? Okay, Onward!

Come Armageddon Come

I've written and deleted so many posts over the past few weeks I've stared wondering why I bother at all. I suppose that's a good thing-the impulse to edit that saves me wishing I hadn't hit the Publish button. Oh, there's nothing exciting to report, just that I don't like my general tone of disgust. I mean, yeah you'd have to be in a coma to not be disgusted, generally but as I'm not prepared to do anything about it, the tone seems a wee bit out of place on a blog set up as an entertainment. If the content of these posts seem a bit thin of late it is because I (like everyone I know) am insulating myself against a bleeding ulcer by meeting the anger with a shrug, and trying to keep things generally positive.

Maybe this was a bad time to be reading, It Can't Happen Here aloud with the kid.


Here's something to love about America...an entire wall at the small supermarket devoted to crisps/chips. Know what's on the opposite wall? Soda! Oh, there's produce too, but that's over in the disused corner by the loading dock because only livestock and weirdos eat that shit.

America! America! 
God mend thy every flaw
Confirm thy soul in self control
Thy liberty in law.

Sigh. Sorry, it is that "tone" thing again. Besides, no one knows the lyrics to America the Beautiful after the first verse anyway.


Oh hey, everybody look! Clothes!

The skirt is vintage (late 70's/early 80's but the top came from K Mart a few seasons ago. I seem to be going through a Hawaiian phase as I counted over a dozen skirts, dresses, and shirts as I unpacked the summer clothes. Come on, you'd buy something with a label that read, "Hilo Hattie's Hawaii" wouldn't you? You know you would! Anyway, I'm seeing a wardrobe trend which means the huge hair flowers can't be far behind. My columbines are trying to bloom in the garden. I expect they'll open by tomorrow (fingers crossed). 

Better keep the cardigan handy, just in case. At least I've moved to a cotton cardigan, and am hopefully done with the woolens for a bit. 

Outfit Particulars:

Cotton top-K Mart

Hawaiian skirt-Goodwill

Cardigan-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoes-Hand-Me-Ups

Straw bag-Goodwill

Bracelet-Garage sale

Earrings-K Mart

Rings-All Over

Necklace-Salvation Army

Vintage seahorse brooch-Art Show

Fragrance-Lucy B Tiare and Coconut 

I've embarked on a new project of creating a master list of my perfume collection. I wanted to have them sorted by house, category of fragrance, vintage or not, etc. I thought this might be helpful so I don't end up with (several) multiples. I'm all for hoarding scents I like, but no one needs multiple bottles of Tigress. Probably. Anyway, when you own hundreds of perfumes it is no small job getting them listed, and I'd abandon the project except that I'm better than halfway through. Really, what was I thinking? This is going to be a never-ending project. 

My kid just bought a computer with alienware that you can use as a touch screen and talk to. It addresses you by name, so he set it up to call him, "Dave." His name is Danny. He wants to hear it say, "I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that." All day I have been thinking he's calling me from another room when he's just been talking to the bloody computer. It'll serve him right if he gets jettisoned into space. 

I'm off to try and improve my mood. I'll start with dubbelzout but I think we all know it will end with Boodles. 

Hope your week is treating you well. 

Blue Hawaiian

We had a terrific storm last evening. Around 11:00 PM, I heard the thunder at the same moment at the lightening flashed, and a loud cracking noise outside the bedroom window. Upon inspection in the morning I found the gardenia toppled over, but thankfully unharmed and a large branch of the tree in back struck by lightening. If there hadn't been torrential downpours at the same time, the house could well have caught fire.

That was a large branch, but the main part of the tree appears unharmed. It is heavy enough that I wouldn't let Danny run around beneath it for fear of him being klunked on the noggin. Considering the force of the storm we were lucky that's all we had. Some parts of the city lost power for the second night in a row. We had such an easy spring, the severe weather is catching us off guard. There was a tornado Saturday night in the southeastern part of the state. Anyway, the sun came out this morning to cheer everyone, and if cleaning up after a storm and Monday morning aren't enough reasons to appreciate sunshine I don't know what are.

Know what would cheer me this summer Monday? A Blue Hawaiian. No, I don't have any curacao in the house (who keeps that on hand?) so I'll just have to make due with a blue Hawaiian dress. Oh the suffering I must endure.

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Hawaiian dress (with Made in Hawaii label) Fairytale Costumes

Shoes-K Mart

Hair Flowers-Tiff and Tam

Bag-Etsy

Shell earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Bangles-all over

Necklace-Gordmans (about 10 years ago)

Lippy-Loreal Color Sensations Vibrant Mandarin 

Fragrance-Elizabeth Taylor Gardenia

I'm still experimenting with trousers. I've owned this pair a couple decades, and I still can't find anything to go with them! They're a sort of brownish grey seersucker. I do keep hope that somewhere there exists a pair of trousers that will fit the way I'd like, and be in a reasonable colour. I'm starting to think the only way that will happen is if I make them myself. I hope not, I hate sewing trousers. 

Outfit Particulars:

Perry Ellis men's seersucker trousers (90's) Marshall Field's

Top-K Mart

California Originals animal skin (gator, I think) handbag-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoes-Attention K Mart ("Attention K Mart Shoppers!")

Onyx clamper bracelet-gift from my sister, 70's -Carson Pirie Scott (she worked there)

Fragrance-Reformulated Guerlain Jicky. I've completely come around on this one-I like the synthetic civet after about 30 minutes. Go figure. 

Do I really need curacao to make a Blue Hawaiian? What would happen if I just stuck blue food colouring and orange extract in vodka? Eh? Maybe? I'll let you know how it goes.