Dirt Chic

Getting Dressed: Schoolmarm Disco Houndstooth Illusion

Man.  This dress really is cool - I got it yesterday on a quick run to SalArmy.  For $6.  It looked blah and shapeless on the hanger but the front pleating was interesting, and I realized that the print was some sort of tweak on houndstooth - I am so tired words are failing me, tweak is totally not the correct word - so I tried it on.  With my tights I was already wearing.  And shoes. 

So I thought, this morning, it was a good option, and fast and easy.  And then I tried to take some pictures at school.  How can a dress that is truly cool in rela-life manage to look dowdy and schoolmarm-ish in photos?  I don't know.  Maybe it's my attitude. 

I tried to get a decent shot.

No.  But, Diet Coke.

No.  But, nice bathroom in the mega-old building on campus.

Crabby, I went to the 3rd floor of this building, which is off-limits for classes as it does not have disability access.  That part of the building is heavily renovated, but I enjoyed coming across some coolness.

And then I sat for awhile amidst the show-choir cast-off costumes.  Drinking a Diet Coke.  And wearing a jacket that had "Pink Ladies" puff-painted on the back, because I was cold.  Because the building is old.  Because I was drinking Diet Coke.

Because my dress is really quite thin.

This is a better look at the print.  And my schoolmarm face.

Someone teach me how to nap effectively again.  I need one.  STAT!!! :)

Tricks and Rocks

I promise I do more than just get dressed. ;)  Though I do so enjoy getting dressed.  I started teaching at an additional school this week, and seriously, by day two, I even felt like taking a break from Dirt Chic, like even it was too much.  It's no bother to show you what I wear.  But I was so overwhelmed I just wanted to crawl under a rock somewhere.  It's better today.  

It helps that I am doing things, once again, to remind me that I am a human being.  I've undertaken a new "trick" that gets the house straightened up and me out from under at least some pressure: I set the kitchen timer for 20 minutes and put away stuff as fast as I can.  I usually finish before 20 minutes is up.

I like my house.

I just wanna be in it.  Can't do that if it's a pigsty.

Oh, and Aldi succulence:

Couldn't help it.  I like small things.  I like houseplants.

Anyway.  Moving onward. :)  Have to finish my screenplay, write my biography, teach, GET DRESSED....

Getting Dressed: Big Shirt

This shirt is TOO BIG but I LIKE it.

I feel like I'm sheathed in... an umbrella.  A big one.

Shirt: $2.  Skirt: from my mom.  Tights: $3.  Bracelet: $4.  Shoes: ...from my mom.  Thanks, Mom!!! :)

Getting Dressed: Extra Lives

Goin' a bit casual today, as I just can.  Though I will change for my other class tonight.  Yikes.

I'm wearing my "new" heart ring that my friend Michaeleen bought me at Goodwill for 77 cents. :)  And my Threadless "Extra Lives" shirt ($10) and my fake Members Only jacket ($3) and my crazy cowboy boots ($20) and my H&M skirt (free from my mom).  Now I'm going to hold class outside because I can.

Getting Dressed: So Creative I Could Pass Out

So, so tired, must take nap, lovely day of new classes (creative writing!!!), all that good stuff...

...blazer: $7.  Shirt: $3.  Bracelet: $2.  

Getting Dressed: If It Feels Good, Do It.

I feel like I've worn this already, but I can't place when.  And I don't care.  It seemed like a suitable garment for today.  Happy Monday.  Or something.

Maybe it's just that I told the tale of this dress.  The abbreviated version: I longed and hoped for a Diane Von Furstenburg (sp?) vintage wrap dress.  And then I found one at a thrift store in Denver.  For $5.  :)

A Sunday Poem

This and Other Things I Didn't Want for Myself

I just want you to know that you were always pretty, even as a blastocyst.  
You were bundled up like a burrito and we gathered around you like you were a buffet.  You're such a delicious treat.  Aren't you glad you are edible?  I nibble on you every day in my mind, I nibble on your youness.
Everyone sees it, now, how you were and are will be pretty.  They mention future jealousies, in saying how you can't help it.
I just want you to know that it shouldn't matter.  But it does.  
You tiny thing, with the jumbo chapstick, smearing it on your red-bow lips, with your Mary Travers hair, you stole my jumbo chapstick!
Did you know when I was little I applied lipstick to my whole face?  Please, take my chapstick.  And if you feel like downright eating it, please do.
Just eat the whole thing.  That's what I love about you.  The prettiness chowing down on it because that's what chapstick is made for.  For you.
I just want you to know that we run through fields together.  
Every time we spin is a slap on the face of pretty.  Who cares if you launch some ships.  Not every one sees it.
That I have lipstick on my face and you have chapstick in your belly, and that is what we do with pretty. 
Swing your hair and purse your lips the way you've been doing, unknowing.  
I just want you to keep running.

Hansel and Gretel Were Right to Love the Witch's House.

My buddy Jen and I stopped at a crazy garage sale that was pretty much all McDonald's toys and kid's clothes.  

I had twenty-five cents, and I found this hand-sewn ornament.  Mine.  (On a backdrop of the rainbow dress I found at the SalArmy the other day.)

$5 Footwear

I had a less-than-optimum day of teaching today (not complaining; love my job) so I designated $5 for my mental health and went over to Mission Mart.  I love it so.

As I was walking up to the back entrance, in the alley, a pickup was idling next to the garbage.  Someone was going through it.  I walk up to this person, and what do I see?  The most EXCESSIVE whale tail EVER - in neon pink nylon at that!  It was jarring.  Then the person straightens up and looks at me - it was a man.  Not that men can't wear thongs... but he looked sort of like a dad.  A middle-aged, semi-dirty, garbage-picking dad.  Trust me - if I hadn't been pretty much right next to him I would've gotten a pic.  It was priceless.  Timeless.  Epic in its gratuitous wrongness.

But I went in, and found a couple of choice thing, but they were overpriced for me right now ($15 sequined sweater, for instance).  I did spot these shoes.

Kind of a D'Orsay-ish style (not quite), Italian patent-leather... yes.  $5.

They match my hair.  A slightly-better pic.  Probably not the best dye job, but I'm enjoying it all the same. 

In other news, I can't stop eating chocolate chip cookies.  

Getting Dressed: Show Choir

Lookin' a little puffy today.  Probably because I got ELEVEN HOURS of sleep.  Goodness knows I needed it.

I also needed somewhat uniformly-colored hair.  So I dyed it!  You can't really tell in this picture.

I tried on a more formal dress.  It made me crabby.  So I put this on instead:

Sequin dress-as-shirt: $6.  (I belted it.  You can't see the belt.)