Tough times in a tough economy. I don't have a second bedroom to rent out and paying a mortgage ain't easy. Obvious solution: expansion. I am planning on expanding my tiny condo to the tree that grows next to my balcony. A couple more bedrooms, maybe some rooms to rent by the night... Still settling on a floor plan, but will likely be a postmodern design with some classic touches. Like rope bridges. And lookouts.

I said to myself after spending a couple hours tracking these down on the internets yesterday. These are not just any old sunglasses. These are an iconic representation of an iconic pair of shades. Very meta. My long term shades goal is always trying to cover as much as my face as possible. Gotta have goals....

Grey Any Status Shades, $230, at New High (M)art.

Yes, I am incorporating more color this summer, but I still love black, white, and everything in between. Nasty Gal seems to really be stepping up their game lately on the new clothes side. They've always been tops for vintage but their new section gets bigger and better all the time. Still super well edited and tight, just more rounded out. I likes. I have to figure out a way to get these items off of the computer screen and into my closet.

1) Domino Top, $42. Elastic hem, dolman sleeves, big scoop neck. Lord have mercy, I said oh oh domino. Van Morrison knows what's up.
2) Spike Cuff, $16. So step off already or I'll spike you.
3) Brigitte Lace Tunic, $52. My fave, love the lace that creeps over the shoulders. Super easy way to wear sexy.

Can't stop listening to these two songs. They are rounding out my summer soundtrack.

First, Sunblinded from Brighton, MA. Song sounds just like the title, super saturated and hazy and sunny and hot. LOVE it. Want to be on a beach listening to it. Will be on a beach listening to it soon.

HERE!

This new one is MSTRKRFT, Heartbreaker and it is a JAM! Also, note the radical sunglasses, gotta have those giant black things on my face.

HERE!

The new me will be alright.

You ever driving down the expressway in your mom's convertible, top down, hair blowing about, on the way to work, listening to radio, thinking "Yeah, Justin Timberlake, I TOTALLY feel you on that. The old me IS dead and gone. The NEW me will be alright. I HAVE been traveling this road to long! I AM just trying to find my way back home!" ? That ever happen to you?

The new me needs to get real about summer. We're in it now, hottest day of the year and supposed to be hotter tomorrow. I want new jewelry, tiniest metal strands and chips of metal and little glints of sparkle. All small and shiny and summery. And cheap. Cause monies don't grow on trees, you know.

1) Faceted Ring, $3.80.
2) Precious Metals Bracelet, $2.80.
3) Petite Stud Set, $1.99. Have to have. Is the shipping fee worth it for two bucks worth if earring? I am sure it is not. But...

All Forevs.

Some people prefer pills, some people prefer clothes. I'd take clothes any day of the week. It's time to perk up my wardrobe. Look good, feel good and all that. I'll never forsake my blacks and my whites and my charcoals and my ashy greys, but this summer is looking a little more colorful already.

According to Wikipedia, my number one source for information the Google won't directly give me, yellow evokes feelings of happiness. Typically, yellow represents sunlight, joy, and hope. Cools.

Dress: Akira. Shoes: Dolce Vita. Eyes: Laser beams, watch it.

Orange is energy, enthusiasm, and playfulness. Yep, I want all that in my summer too.

Dress: One of my engineers suggested I wear his new amp case as a dress. He was right about the dual colored lipstick, so I tried it. He's one for two right now.

This was already outside the box for me. Not huge on patterns, but I'm trying. This got a little Kelly Kopowski, but that's not really a bad thing. She was head cheerleader and captain of the volleyball, swim, and softball teams. Wikipedia, duh.

Dress: Asos. Shoes: 80/20. Hair: Can always be bigger.

It's so hard to tell what the average male is into fashion wise. I just assume if I stray from the norm, dudes won't get it and won't like it. Also, being that they are long and shapeless, I assume most won't be into the plaid maxi dress. I am wrong. Girls like this dress alright, guys LOVES it. I've never been stopped so many times by random guys as in this dress. They usually follow it with "My girl would love that! She has to get it."

Moms. Moms I KNOW will love this dress. My mom will get behind anything plaid.

Dress: Mossimo from Target. Yeah, I know, Target. Radical.

Urban decay. It's amazing the things people will leave to ruin.

The beauty of beautiful structures is that even in this state they are hauntingly gorgeous.

via telefunker.

I am sort of done with scarves in general, too many years of them. It went from a couple summers of blood spattered bandanas that did not ever leave my neck, to fringy things wrapped around everywhere, to long, wispy things wrapped draped over my shoulders, even college had a wooly scarf no matter the season. Now, all about exposed shoulders, collarbones, other stuff. But, these guys? Someone takes the time to piece-dye, hand color, screen print and woodblock print a beautiful silk scarf? Yeah, I'd wear that.

Etsy Shop: paupervoile
1) The Sail Scarf, $160.
2) The Sail Foulard, $160.
3) The Dance Scarf, $150.

Cause we're frozen solid.

Dress: Forever21. Morgs wore hers yesterday. Shot would have been infinitely better had we been matching.

When this dress finally came in the mail last week, it was decided that it was, in fact, work appropriate. This seems to have become a barometer of my wardrobe lately- what exactly can I wear and not wear to work? I hate having to maintain two wardrobes, so everything gets worn to the office eventually.

Dress: Totem. Shoes: Akira. Shorts: Yes, I am wearing shorts under this.

Work appropriate or not came up again when I asked around to see about this shirt. Morgs went with "No, don't even think about it." Again. Mags was for it, hesitantly. We called a vote and settled on yes, on Thursdays and Fridays. The outfit I have one was called "a little flummoxing for a Monday." So, fine. Fridays. I'll take it.

Middle Knot Aztec Tunic, $32, TopShop.

Six days later, not a chip in sight.

Mint green manicure, glitter topcoat. Yes.

This blog has a well documented history of both my love of sequins and my hesitant fascination of crop tops. So, ta-da!

The racerback seals the deal for me.

Sequined Crop Vest Top, $55, TopShop.

Found these on the interweb today from my pal Matt Roan's birthday party a couple weeks ago.

Love that dude.

Hey, Clayton- I pulled these pictures from Everyoneisfamous.com without asking. Don't be mad.

Please don't have birthday parties on weeknights anymore.

I can't hang.

Top: Yeah, girls call shirts tops. TopShop. Shoes: 80%20.