Red herring

Top: Star City outside ⟡, [no brand] from China inside ⟡

Bottom: Arizona

Shoes: Forever 21

Ear party: [gifted] from China ⟡, Cady Nation, now DC Bijou

⟡ first wear in 2012

I hadn't worn these particular fish earrings for several years, after three of the rhinestones fell out.  Then, a few days ago I had an epiphany and dabbed some red nail polish into the gaps.  It worked like a charm and I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

Fly me to the moon

Top: Love Rocks ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Bamboo
Earrings: [no brand] from Shanghai

Arm party: [diy] ⟡, Kenneth Cole

⟡ first wear in 2012

My first patterned wrap bracelet!  It's Broncos / Fighting Illini / Your Favorite Orange and Blue Sports Team colored!  Click here for the tutorial on how to make this bracelet!

The real deal!

Top: Kenneth Cole outside, Mossimo inside ⟡

Bottom: Forever 21

Shoes: Payless

Ear party: [no brand] from ? ⟡, [no brand] from Hong Kong

Bag: Merona

⟡ first wear in 2012

Third weekend is the charm!  We were sorely tempted by the first apartment complex we toured this day, but it's a good thing we didn't put any money down because the real winner turned up later that afternoon!  The only leasing agent working that day was wonderfully cheery and helpful despite being extremely busy.  She took us on a double tour with a a couple that had already seen 30 places (this was the 7th that day!) and they ended up choosing this complex!  It was clearly a sign.  We submitted our application and if all goes well we will be moved in by the end of the month!

Have you screen my bicycle?

Top: Uniqlo outside ⟡, Love Love Jo inside ⟡

Bottom: Arizona

Shoes: Forever 21
Scarf: [flea market]
Ear party: [no brand] from Shanghai ⟡, H&M

Nail party: 10 ⟡, Sally Hansen ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

I screen printed this shirt myself at the Gowanus Print Lab in Brooklyn!  It was really fun and the end result greatly exceeded my expectations!  At least enough to make up for the other shirt I printed, which has a kid on a rocking horse right over the tummy.  After a friend pointed out its pre-maternity styling, I couldn't bring myself to wear it.  Some thoughts cannot be unthought.

Urban backpacking

Top: Arizona ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Bamboo
Ear party: [gifted], Forever 21

Necklace: Swarovski Heliotrope Heart Pendant and a cheap bail on a chain you've seen before ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

This bag gets more wear than all my cute, girly handbags combined.  I've been tempted to replace it with a more ladylike tote, but the functional benefits of a backpack are difficult to deny.  If anything, it has become a handy headquarters for all work-related items when at home.

For those of you who have to haul things to work or school every day, what do you use to carry your stuff?

9 to 5

Top: Express ⟡

Bottom: Paris Blues

Shoes: Payless

Neck party: [no brand] from Taiwan, [ebay]

Ear party: [no brand] from Hong Kong, [ebay]

⟡ first wear in 2012

This is the sweater I wore to my first day of work at my current employer, and consequentially the same sweater pictured in my ID.  If I could go back in time I would have chosen to wear some brighter colors that day, but I can't deny that this was a very comfortable choice for a long day of training and paperwork.

Exit through the gift shop

Top: Forever 21 outside, Annabelle inside ⟡

Bottom: Paris Blues

Shoes: Sonoma

Ear party: [no brand] from Qingdao ⟡, [no brand] labret stud from Amazon⟡ 

⟡ first wear in 2012

Judged by many measures, these earrings are nothing special.  However, because I bought them in the Tsingtao Brewery gift shop, when I look at them I remember that entire trip.  And that is why one should always exit through the gift shop!

I have not seen the nominally-related Exit Through the Gift Shop documentary, but it has been in my Netflix queue for quite some time.  I've heard good things!