This Isn't Makeup: I Finally Bought a New Purse

I'm somebody who has, for the last decade, had zero problems dropping $100+ in a single go on fancy foundation and more red lipsticks. Yet I've always struggled to spend that kind of money on other products. This includes clothing and accessories: the only jewelry I wear these days is my engagement ring, and I get almost all of my outfits in thrift stores or off of sales racks. So it's not surprising that I've had the same Fossil bag, and only that one Fossil bag, for a solid four years.

Even buying that bag (on the right) was tough for me. I scoured the internet for the cheapest price, eventually finding the tan shade for under $100. When I received it, I made sure to treat it with leather balms and protectants. I loved that bag. The front pouches were perfect for my wallet and keys, there was an inside zip pocket that I could stuff with tampons and medicines (I'm a walking pharmacy/grandmother/whatever), and there were two small sections on the inside that were perfect for hand cream, lip balm, business cards...basically, there were many junk pockets.

This month, I finally admitted that my beloved bag had bit the dust. The zipper had ripped away from the bag itself, making it impossible to shut properly, and beyond the normal, expected discoloration of the leather, I'd noticed a lot of black staining. So I went ahead and bought a new bag, also from Fossil: the Sydney crossbody. It was already on sale for $97, but I found a coupon code on Google that dropped the price to about $72 shipped.

You know what's weird? I knew I needed a new bag, and I got a sturdy bag for a good price, but I still struggled to spend the money. And when I thought about it, I realized...it's harder for me to spend large amounts of money on anything now that I've been downsizing and no-buying. I used to spend this kind of money on lipstick without even flinching, and now I spend a lot of time asking, "Is this makeup worth a whole day's work?" I mean, buying $200 worth of makeup twice a year? Doable. Using gift cards or receiving PR? Whatever. But I don't feel comfortable spending this kind of money on non-necessities on the regular anymore.

Now that it's here, I'm really enjoying this bag. It's a little smaller and has fewer pockets, which I wanted so I'd carry a bit less shit. That's...kind of working. We'll see if I can downsize my bag's contents even more!

So Here's My Stuff

In my recent Beauty Community Pet Peeves video, a lovely reader pointed out that the beauty and bed rooms of many bloggers and YouTubers are homogenous: swaths of pure white Ikea furniture, a burning candle in the background, and at least one inspirational quote framed, pinned, or posted on the walls. As silly as it sounds, I sometimes see these beautiful rooms and think, "Man, I wish my bedroom looked like that!" It just seems so elegant and functional.

Then I remember that I am tacky as Hell and I have a weird obsession with repurposing things, soooooo why not be happy with what I've got? After all, this is where I really live, where I do my makeup and prep my lesson plans and sleep at night--why not show it for what it really is?

So here are a few beauty-related parts of my bedroom.

I keep most of my fragrances in a drawer away from the window and air vent  to prevent spoiling, but I like to keep a few on my bookshelf in case I'm in a hurry in the morning. I do pick the cheaper frags, though, because if they DO spoil...well, I won't be totally heartbroken. Currently taking up residence amongst my tchotchkes and photos are the Dolce & Gabbana Eau de Toilette, Lady Gaga Fame, Ghost Deep Night (long discontinued, I believe), and a small box containing some TokyoMilk roller balls.

Yes, the shelf is totally tilted. I'm finally at the point where that doesn't bother me.

I keep some of my makeup in a jewelry organizer that hangs on the back of my closet door, but 95% of it is right here on my desk. If you want a nice acrylic organizer, definitely check out Marshalls or TJ Maxxx; they abound there.

As for, "Why your desk?" Well, I do most things at my desk or in bed, and doing makeup in bed is a bit tricksy, so there's the obvious choice. Also, I like to sit down when I apply makeup and there's zero room in here for a separate vanity. Desk it is!

By the way, this is my version of a "makeup basket." It's actually the lid from a tin that held a men's wallet. Is it elegant? No, but it's definitely functional; the small lip on it keeps products from rolling around, but also makes it easy to grab stuff without having to reach deep in to, say, a jar or a drawer.

Speaking of the makeup basket: somebody please force me to do a review on that Becca Backlight Priming Filter. I have been staring at it for days, but actually forcing myself to use it under makeup? That hasn't happened yet as of this writing. MAKE ME DO THE WORK, GUYS.

Bad Outfit #25: Fall Drag Show

Are we all aware that I haven't done an actual "bad outfit" post since I created the new header image last year? Look, I can explain myself: I wear a lot of cheap thrifted stuff (so if you liked it, you wouldn't really be able to find it for yourself in a store), and I am not that fashionable. I haven't worn jewelry in years, I will likely wear the same three pairs of boots until I'm in my grave, and if I'm not going to work or heading out on a rare excursion, I tend to laze about in my pajamas or some leggings. It renders most breakdowns damn near pointless.

But, y'know, I was going to a drag show, so I got dressed. And I love this hideous turtleneck, I love these boots, and I haven't worn velvet in a while. So here we go.

The tacky turtleneck (which I lurv) and the full-length velvet skirt were both purchased at thrift stores for less than $5 each. Ridiculous turtle necks like that are a rare find, in my opinion, but I find velvet skirts a-plenty every time I thrift.

The boots are my favorites by Vince Camuto, and while this specific style (Bollo) is no longer available, I can recommend Camuto boots in general. The only problem with them is that if you have wide feet like me, you will want to take them to a cobbler to get them widened in the toe box.

Going out to a drag show, by the way, is my time to wear two things: House of Matriarch Blackbird and Chanel Illusion d'Ombre shadows. I went for Epatant on this night, because why not? And the lipstick is the Dior Fluid Stick in Kiss Me.

Who makes these shirts?!

**  ETA: Sophie and SM have cracked the case! Thanks, readers; you're all fantastic! **


Friends, I need your help.

Over the past year, I have made many a journey to my local Salvation Army. And on several different trips, I have found these incredibly cool, colorful, graphic t-shirts in the men's section. I love them to bits, and I want to buy every one that has ever existed. The other two I have:

"Hit the Lights" on the right, which was my favorite. Unfortunately, I wore it over a friend's house and it got lost there. :/

Also:

The "Devil Wears Prada" puking eyeball shirt on the right, which has been worn, cut, and stitched so many times I can only really wear it as a night shirt these days.

The problem is...I have no idea who makes them. Not only am I purchasing them second-hand, but the label is just a standard "American Apparel" label--there's no designer or website listed. I've tried web searching, looking on Amazon, checking fashion blogs, and even reverse image searches. Nothing.

If anybody knows who makes these or where I can get more, please tell me! I will give you my first born! ...or, I dunno, I'll give you a shout-out on the blog and my undying love.

Inspiration: Rangeela

Sometimes we fall in love with movies that we know are, without a doubt, corny and dated. But if your name is Renee and you have a slight obsession with predictable trash backed by a fantastic soundtrack, you know that there's nothing wrong with watching the same tacky movie over and over again. Especially if it makes you feel a thousand times better after a horrible day.

Whenever I'm sad or sick, nothing makes me feel better than crawling in to bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's and my well-worn copy of Rangeela. This is the movie that made Urmila Matondkar, and it's not hard to see why: she's adorable. This was also A.R. Rahman's Hindi-language debut. Lastly, there's Aamir Khan. Nuff said.

It's so 90s and so predictable, most Bollywood experts write it off. It's not the kind of movie I'd recommend if you've never seen anything from the industry before. But it makes me smile, it only delves in to blatant anti-feminism for 5 minutes (way better than most Bollywood films from the 90s), and it feels so good!

Sidenote #1: This appears to be my first Bollywood-related post. WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING?!

Sidenote #2: If you try to find this on the English-language net, you may find it retitled "Bollywood Dreams." Avoid that version and get a copy (with subtitles!) that's actually labeled "Rangeela." Otherwise, you may end up with a really bad dub/edit.

I don't care how tacky it is, that button-up-over-mesh-shirt thing they did for Aamir will never stop tugging at my heart strings. I know it's pretty ridiculous to have a tramp character with a closet full of mesh shirts, BUT WORK WITH IT, IT'S FUN.

Cripes, Urmila is gorgeous. And are we all seeing that adorable crop top with those plaid shorts in the upper right picture? I don't care what anybody says, that's a beautiful outfit. I'd wear the crap out of it.

FYI, this was also the movie that inspired me to try suspenders. I don't have the swag for a fedora, but the suspenders were fun!

Those "street tough" outfits actually aren't too far off from what guys wear today...

Supposedly, some of Aamir Khan's clothes in this movie were from his own collection. I never saw him traipsing about in mesh shirts off-screen, so I'm going to guess it's jeans, shoes, and button-ups instead, or maybe leftover junk from one of his other movies.

DAT HAIR. DAT BODY. DEM EYES. I set unrealistic expectations for myself and it's totally her fault.

That two piece ensemble is everything I never knew I needed. Also, I want to kiss this makeup artist; Urmila wears at least a dozen different makeup looks in this film, and they are all fantastic.

Doing okay? Feeling like a brave soul? Try a musical number. If the visuals are a bit wonky for your tastes, just do something else and let the music plaaaaaay!

Inspiration: Pretty in Pink

You've probably noticed my deep affinity for films and TV shows from the 80s and 90s, especially if the late John Hughes was involved. I watched a ton of these movies growing up, and they inspired me to wear weird things and be myself, to admit that I have some really displaced angst, and to realize that everything's going to be alright, regardless of how it seems in high school.

Pretty in Pink will forever be one of my favorite 80s movies when it comes to fashion. You've got to admire folks like the heroine, Andie, who can wear three different patterns and grandma's pearls at the same time while looking continuously chic. Oh, and Andie's boss Iona? She's totally my style. PiP's also got some of the best lines in movie history, like "May I admire you today?" and "What about prom, Blane?" If you're new to John Hughes' work and/or 80s movies, you've got to add this one to your list; it's a quintessential classic.

And they're off!

It's happened: my Dr. Martens 1B60 boots have gone to a better place.

You might not recall what happened with these beautiful boots, so I'll refresh your memory: I ordered them from Bloomingdale's almost 3 years ago. When I called customer service and asked if the listed sizes were the original UK sizes or the US equivalents, they assured me that they were listed in the US equivalent, so I ordered a size 8. Docs are always a bit stiff and heavy when you first get them because they need broken in, so I wore them around the house a few times, assuming that they were fitting awkwardly because they hadn't been stretched out. Then I checked the tongue and discovered that they were a UK 8, which means they're a US 10. Bloomingdale's customer service told me I couldn't return them because they'd been "worn." So I kept them and wore them anyway, using two or even three pairs of socks to keep them tight on my feet.

I haven't been wearing them much for the past 6 months, though, partially because of work, but mostly because...well, they don't fit. No matter how much I love the style or how great they look with my outfits, they just aren't the right size.

So when my friend popped in for a visit, fawned over them, and tried them on for funsies...I decided it was time to let them go, provided my friend promised to actually wear them. (They weren't cheap, after all, but they were much-loved and well-cared for!) Here's hoping they'll get more love from someone whose foot actually fits them.

I'm considering saving up for a replacement pair, or for the classic 1460 boots in black. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a full-time position or a bonus in the future. :)

Should I stay or should I go?

It's easy to talk the talk. It's a lot harder to walk the walk.

I've been thinking of selling my Dr. Martens 1B60 knee-high boots for months. But the thing is...they've kind of been a signature. I mean, they're in two of the four bad outfits in my header image, they always get some kind of remark from passers-by, and they were the shoes that reignited my boots obsession. Incredibly comfortable, super-sturdy, tough as shit: they personify Docs for me.

Unfortunately, I just don't wear them that much. And I don't see myself wearing them too often in the future. I think I've grown out of them. More importantly, they've outgrown me: Bloomingdale's sent me the wrong size, and I didn't notice until I'd already worn them around, rendering them un-returnable. Luckily, the tall style and some really thick socks makes them wearable, even though they are two sizes too big.

What do we think? Should I deal with the shipping hassles and sell them off? Or should I figure out some way to make them work.

Inspiration: Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

I've been a humongous fan of the 1991 film Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead for at least 15 years. It's just so blatantly stuck between the decades; the heavy neutral makeup of the 90s is a surprisingly fantastic complement to the shoulder pads and bold patterns of the 80s. To say that the film's acid-era hangover fashion sense was a major inspiration to me would be an understatement. Though I don't quite get the appeal of a dress that literally hangs on you like a bag and I'm not one to wear a super-boxy blazer, I find most of Christina Applegate's outfits simultaneously garish and chic. And that appeals to me: it's still tickery-tackery, but at a much higher level.

I've also decided to go back through my posts and add a new tag: "inspiration." This isn't the first time I've slapped together a photo collage, yeah?

Review: Lipstick Queen products

I'm a lipstick addict. This probably doesn't shock you, given the title of this blog and my blatant inability to wear particularly dramatic eye makeup on a regular basis, but I just want to make that point very, very clear. I am not a casual lipstick user. I am not the kind of woman who puts on some lipstick as an afterthought to finish a look. For me, lipstick is the single most important part of my makeup, the most exciting and exhilarating step in the process of painting my face. Just the feeling of applying lipstick fills me with the warm fuzzies. Tacky leggings and uber-black mascaras are fun; lipsticks are necessary. I am a lipstick addict.

It turns out I'm not the only one. "Renee!" you might gasp. "Some bitch named Poppy King stole your 'Lipstick Queen' title!" And if we were still in the PLQ (Pre-Lipstick Queen) era, I might've agreed with you, shouting, "DAT CROWN IS MIIIINE!" But we are now in the LQO (Lipstick Queen Obsessed) era, and oh, gaddamn, Poppy King can take any crown she wants as long as she keeps making awesome, awesome lip products. Seriously, I almost wet myself when I saw this display at the Denver airport:

Now, before we get on with this review, let me just get a little something out of my system: I do not like moisturizing lipsticks. I think moisturizing lipsticks are bullcrap. In my experience, they're too oily, they slide all over my lips, they lack pigment, and they barely last past an hour. I do not need my lipstick to be moisturizing. If I want my lips to be moisturized, I'll use lip balm. End of story.

What I do expect from my lipstick, however, is that it not be drying. IE, I do not need it to add moisture, but my lipstick should not taketh mine moisture away and leave me with Sahara Desert Mouth. I also tend to shy away from sheer lipsticks and go for more opaque formulas, and while I'm not all about "longwear" products, I like a lipstick that lasts for a few hours. Everything I've tried from Lipstick Queen fits this bill to a T.

The Lipstick Queen brand, as a whole, has the kind of packaging that appeals to me: simple, elegant, and no-fuss. Lipstick Queen products generally arrive in really pretty blister packs or boxes, but because I was stupid and didn't keep them around, I don't have any pictures for you. Suffice to say that they are Super Duper Pretty (TM), and you can find pictures of that shtuff on the Lipstick Queen website. The prices are quite reasonable and fit in to mid-end category, with all of these products ranging in price from $18-22, depending on the formula.

The biggest issue with this brand is that it's a niche brand, meaning it doesn't have major production or advertising funds and therefore doesn't pop up in regular retail locations all that often. (Hence why I flailed like a maniac when I saw a Lipstick Queen stand at the airport.) I purchased Free Ride from the airport and got Sinner Pink at Beauty.com, while the Jean Queen lipstick and Chase pencil came from MakeupAlley.com users. Your best bet is usually to purchase these products online; SpaceNK, Nordstrom, and Beauty.com all carry a wide range of Lipstick Queen products.

Let's start with the lipsticks. The Lipstick Queen Jean Queen lipstick ($18) is specifically designed to compliment various shades of denim. In other words, it's a warm pink that's meant to pop against the 90% of denim clothing that's a cool blue color. The few swatches I could locate on Google made this product look like a light, slightly-coral pink, so I was downright appalled when I uncapped my own tube. In the bullet, Jean Queen looks like a rather dark rose-red color, which, hey, I'm not against, but that's not what I signed up for! Fear not: it applies as a not-too-bright, just-right warm, watermelon pink. It's what I call a "pigmented sheer," meaning it has a lot of color payoff, but you can sort of see your lips peeking through the product. (Man, it's hard to explain that concept...) The formula is glossy and smooth, which I would normally hate, but it actually stays on the lips quite nicely; after eating, for example, I notice that a lot of the shine has gone away, but the color is still on my lips. I wear this color even when I'm not wearing jeans because I think it works well with my coloring. I'd actually go so far as to call this a Holy Grail. If you prefer glosses, they make a click-pen style gloss version for the same price.

The Lipstick Queen Sinner lipstick in Pink Sinner ($20) is quite different in terms of formula. It's not glossy or slick at all, but rather creamy, opaque, and satiny, with fantastic color payoff and 4-5 hours worth of flawless staying power. This lipstick has a 90% pigment formula, meaning it's rather dense and I can feel it when I'm wearing it. This is fine by me, but those who prefer a weightless lip color will probably want to stick to Jean Queen or one of the Saint lipsticks, which are composed of 10% pigment and therefore contain more of the lighter base ingredients. The only odd thing about this product is that, while it looks like a medium beige pink in the tube and swatches that way on my hand, it has a noticeable peach tinge to it when I wear it on my lips. I hated this inexplicable color morph the first time I wore it, but I've come to love it, and I now consider Pink Sinner a "nude I can actually wear." This formula also plays well with every gloss I've paired it with, including the thicker Bobbi Brown Rich Colour Gloss in Tutu and the very thin NYX Round Gloss in Natural.

The Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Chase ($20) is the perfect option for those who found the Revlon Balm Stains too drying and the Clinique Chubby Sticks too sheer. Chase is a particularly lovely and wearable coral red. This is a another "pigmented sheer" product, and you can continue layering it until you get the color saturation and glossyness you desire. It's incredibly slick to the touch, almost greasy feeling, but it doesn't slide off of your lips or feel disgusting when applied; actually, it's quite comfortable and non-drying, and is probably the closest thing to "moisturizing" in this entire review.

Perhaps my least favorite product of the bunch is the Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Free Ride ($22), but that doesn't mean it's bad. I just had to pay a markup for it because I bought it at a duty-free airport shop ($28 plus tax), which I kinda hate, and the color doesn't quite work on my lips unless I pair it with a pencil or a gloss. The formula is reminiscent of a dry-ish cream blush, meaning it feels hard when you first touch it, but it easily warms up under your fingertip and becomes quite creamy. My first impression was that it was a matte lipstick in a pot, and that calling it a "matte gloss" was a gimmick, but it really does behave a lot like a gloss: it's lighter like a gloss, but matte and opaque like a lipstick. This doesn't have the staying power of, say, the Pink Sinner lipstick, but it certainly doesn't smear all over my mouth, it just sort of fades after a few hours. I actually prefer this as a blusher; the dryer formula can make it a bit tricky to blend in to my dry cheeks, but it looks quite natural and brightening if you apply it correctly. Essentially, it's a lovely product, but it's best for people whose tastes run somewhat counter to mine.

Overall, I am completely obsessed with this brand and would rate all of these products a standout 5 out of 5, with your personal satisfaction depending entirely on your preferences. I plan on owning a number of the Sinner lipsticks, and I'm actually considering purchasing the Jean Queen gloss and a Saint lipstick. Considering how I feel about most glosses and sheer lipsticks...well, that says something about this brand's mystical voodoo magic.

And hey, speaking of tacky leggings...guess what I'm wearing under that black tunic?

New Shirts and Seasons Greetings

Just a quick and dirty post to show you some new shirts I've gotten! I haven't had much luck with posting clothing-related stuff because, again, our sewage backed up and flooded the basement, and I've worked pretty much nonstop, so I'm a week behind on laundry. But I did want to show you some cool t-shirts I got from Threadless.com during their $10 shirt sale! I got these in a men's small; a men's extra-small may have been a more comfortable, flattering fit, but these haven't had a chance to shrink in the wash yet. The Red Riding Hood shirt is definitely my favorite!

I also wandered about with my sister and her best friend for an afternoon, and although we visited several thrift/consignment shops, I only managed to score 2 things at one of the three TJ Maxx locations. Actually, I liked a lot of the Givenchy stockings, but the A/B sizes were really picked over. :(

The loose tank-top is by a brand called "The Classic," which is of course impossible to locate on Google. There was also a version with a lace skull, but I thought this version might go with more (my sister's friend ended up buying one of these and the lace skull, the latter of which was the very last one!). I also found a cross shirt by the same brand that I LOVED, but the medium was way too big.

Looking forward to cropping and modding a few of my most recent clothing purchases after the holidays, when everything at the store slows down! (That place is CRAZY right now.)

I'll most likely be gone for the rest of this week, thanks to a crazy work schedule and the holidays. Despite all of the sadness we've endured this month, I'm hoping that we can find comfort and solace in each other and have a very happy holidays.

Bad Outfit #14: "I was a target 'cause I'm a fashion misfit."

Contrary to what some of my photos suggest, I do wander out of my house looking like I do. And while I appreciate a person with wonky tastes, even if they aren't my own tastes, most people think that anything different or unusual is worthy of mockery. This is especially true if they're in a group--actually, it's almost always only true if they're in a group; I can't remember the last time a solitary person made fun of me for my clothes or my makeup, but there have been plenty of days, including today, when a pack of people plucked up the courage to mock me. I'd like to say that it doesn't get to me when a group of self-absorbed teenagers shouts insults at me as I walk past them on my way to the park, but hey, it does. It hurts for a moment, but the way it really gets to me is that it gets me to wear what I want to wear more often, regardless of the consequences. If my clothes make me feel great, that's already fantastic...but if they make me feel great and prompt a strong reaction in other people, negative or otherwise, well, I'm just ecstatic.


"When in doubt, freak 'em out." -- Sharon Needles

TOP: trashed Les Miserable shirt, thrifty find

JACKET: Blac Label, thrifty find

BOOTS: Dr. Martens 1460 ("borrowed" from my sister!)

JEANS: printed Mossimo Supply jeans, Target clearance section

LIPSTICK: Lipstick Queen Pink Sinner

Thrifty, thrifty, fifty four! Couldn't work out that card anymore!

My mathematical ineptitude tends to pop up in a lot of my catchphrases: "Math ain't my strong suit!" "Well, I never was a math teacher." "Yes, Renee, you are very good at math." (Just in case you didn't get the point, my mathematical skills basically petered out after highschool Algebra II.) But you'd think I'd still be able to do basic addition and subtraction and figure out my checking account balance, yeah?

Wrong!

I decided to do some thrifting with my sister these past few days, and I kept myself to a budget of about $50 based on some calculations I made in my checkbook. This was based on the assumption that I would run my account down to $5 (unusually low for me), but it wouldn't be a big deal, since I've been working constantly and get paid this Thursday. So imagine my surprise when, after a truly fantastic bout of thrifting and drive thru-ing, the cashier at Arby's informed me that my credit card was "at its limit" and I therefore owed her $0.58. I coughed up three quarters, then skuttled over to the bank (which was thankfully right next door) and found out that...well, I'd been off. It was only by $7, but that was enough to drop my total balance down to $0.02. The problem's been fixed, and I got some awesome stuff out of the embarrassment, but yeesh, I've never had a negative account balance!

I blame thrifting. And Christmas gifts. And the money I've been setting aside in savings. (Savings, pfft! Who does that?)

Anywhere, here's some of the lurvely new stuff I got over the past 2 days!

This first group of stuff was a happy accident: my sister wanted to get a pair of sunglasses from Hot Topic, but failed to tell me that they were only going to be on sale until the end of the day. We ended up at the mall a mere hour before closing time and wandered past a Pac Sun that's currently liquidating. My sister wanted to stop in, and I was initially hesistant. I learned at a very early age that Pac Sun is generally not my style, especially since my style rarely costs more than $10 an item. You would think that thrifting would've taught me better!

The two tops were $10 each. The first is a lace button-up for layering, which was on my list of "things to hunt for whilst thrifting" (and I'll post that list as it stands down below). The second is a sheer navy star-print with a cage back and collar that ties at the bottom...I'm starting to realize I'm really in to tying up my clothes. The $5 skirt is a short denim piece that's made to look 80s-esque and has a lot of stretch. I normally don't wear shorter skirts, but I thought this would be a great basic piece to pair with leggings.

Today, we scuttled off to the local Salvation Army, which is currently my favorite thrift store, whereas my sister prefers Goodwill. Let me go on a tangent and explain the logic here: our Goodwill has very regular prices (ie, pretty much every skirt is $3, every t-shirt is $4, etc., unless they're leather or something fancy like that) and tends to have a lot of "every day stuff," including overstock from local retailers like Target. The prices at Salvation Army are, by contrast, very inconsistent, with some pieces retailing at $1 before half-off sales and others costing a whopping (by thrifting standards) $35. Salvo also tends to have a waaaaay more diverse, eclectic selection of stuff for a variety of reasons. Goodwill appeals more to my sister because she tends to prefer more basic, everyday items that retail at a regularly low price, whereas I prefer a lot of the whackadoo stuff that is maybe worth an extra $5 or is available for $0.50 today and today only.

This jacket is a great example of how awesome Salvo is for me. Goodwill is super-duper well-organized and has a special leather section, but unfortunately, I found most of these pieces overpriced (remember, I'm in a thrift store!), and because they were specially marked off with a big "LEATHER" sign, they were very picked over. Leather in Salvo, however, is scattered around and potentially half-price. And since today was "half off all yellow tags," I got this amazing late 90s leather jacket for just $6. FIND. OF. THE. MONTH!!! And while my sister was turned off by the three or four very teeny tiny "discoloration" spots on the back of the jacket, I think they add to the "oldness" of the coat, which I love!

I found a few other cool pieces at Salvo. The first is a long plaid skirt, which mostly crosses another item off of my list. I would still love to find a super-soft cotton flannel that I could knot up on one side, cause I'm weird like that. But this one is still great, and it actually opens up on the side when I walk or sit down, which'll look great with boots! It was $10 originally, but had a yellow tag, so I paid $5. The Lady Gaga shirt was hiding in the men's section and cost me a whopping $2. (And yes, I'm a Gaga fan. Take my street cred! I need it not!)

Even though Goodwill doesn't tend to produce the treasures that Salvo does, I still found some fun pieces. I got a long, plain black t-shirt that I plain to doodle on with a bleach pen, plus an amazing Pac-Man t-shirt. I also got an authentic Ed Hardy tank top that is probably not the most flattering thing I could wear with my body type, but I love the artwork and the corseting detail on the shoulder, and for $3, I couldn't pass it up. (Yes, I also like a lot of Ed Hardy stuff. No street cred, none at all.)

I'm still a little iffy about the plaid tie-up shirt I got for $4, since it hits JUST about my hip when it's tied and can therefore make my hippy-curvy self look a bit wide, but eh. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it! And the hat was a Target clearance item I scored for $2. They also had 2 in black, which I would've preferred, but they'd been trampled on and dirtied-up. The quest continues for the perfect huge black hat. :( Lastly, I grabbed some belts for a craft project I'm planning, I got 4 for $4. My sister found a $4 purse she loved and a $1 Lucky Brand wallet shoved at the bottom of a box, and I got those for her without hesitation.

I also got 2 new beauty items in the mail! Nothing too exciting, as I'm focusing primarily on wardrobe right now and I think my makeup stash is at its saturation point. I swapped my $20 Sephora VIB gift card for a $10 Beauty.com coupon and got a Lipstick Queen lipstick in Pink Sinner and a full size of the stupendous Anastasia Clear Brow Gel.

It's clear that I have a lot more luck with my "tops and skirts" wishlist than I do with my "pants" wishlist, probably because I am so picky, short, and curvy-swervy (in relation to my shortness). Regardless, I think I managed to score a lot of stand-out basics for a stupidly awesome price.

FINAL COST:  $56.46

(Double-check that, cause I ain't good at math.)

Also, here's the makeup I wore for my thrifting adventure and the 8-hour shift after that! It was super-quick and simple: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion with SPF60, Vapour Beauty Atmosphere Luminous Foundation in 090, MAC Cremeblend Blush in Posey, MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl,  Skindinavia Setting Spray,Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Prestige My Biggest Lashes mascara, Clinique Airbrush concealer in 01 Fair, Clinique Superfine Liner pencil for brows, and Anastasia Clear Brow Gel. When I got to work, I popped on a Laura Mercier lip stain. Reviewing the Vapour foundation is at the top of my priorities list.

One final Ode to Today's Thrifting (and a smidge of a bribe to get you to follow me on Instagram): these were so odiously tacky and wondrous that I almost wept when they were three sizes too small for me. Sigh.

Things To Hunt For Whilst Thrifting

as of December 11, 2012:

• a plain black blazer that doesn't make me look like a Golden Girl.
• leather pants or shorts.
• just leather. A11 teh 1eathurz!!1!one
• a big, black hat.
• a long plaid skirt--softer and maybe less "formal" than the Salvo one.
• day-to-day black boots or clogs, preferably tacky or butch.
• tall, no-or-small heel boots for a DIY project.
• obnoxious patterned pants.
• A PURSE!!!

Tacky thrifted goodness!

Oh, the glorious cheapness! I actually did a short YouTube videos showcasing these pieces, and I'll be doing some Bad Outfits ASAP. Plus, I'll be thrifting some more this week! So hopefully there will be even MORE tacky goodness, which I'll make another post about. :)

Now a Fashion Tumblr-er!

Ladies and gents, I've now joined Tumblr to cross post my awful outfits and a small landslide o' inspiration! And although I've been informed that this makes me a 16-year-old hipster, I shan't get my Doc Martens in a twist. (Which I just noticed I'm wearing in every single header image--TOTALLY NOT INTENTIONAL.) You can click the image above to follow me, or find me at BadOutfitGreatLipstick.tumblr.com--and be sure to provide me with some links to YOUR favorite fashion Tumblrs! :D

Also, I'll be posting a thrifting/makeup haul soon, most likely with an accompanying video. :D I wanted to post it over the weekend, but I ended up getting uber-busy and working graveyard shift. Bonus: by the time I get around to posting the haul, I'll probably have hit up yet another thrift store. IT NEVER ENDS.

Thankful for the Tickery Tackery

There comes a moment in every fashion lover's life when they stumble upon the perfect description for their fashion sense. Friends of mine have gleefully described their wardrobes as "bohemian chic," "kooky classic," and "reconstructed vintage." Well, ladies and gentlemen, now that I've studded the crap out of my old Misfits hoodie, I've reached a fashion epiphany:

my clothes are tickery-tackery.

I am forever indebted to Project Runway season 4 winner Christian Siriano for the phrase, which he used to describe a prom gown he was required to design based on a client's tastes. "It's so tickery-tackery now," he complained. "I'm not feeling fierce right now." And yeah, it was a pretty fugly gown, and totally not his usual fierce, Alexander McQueen-esque, ruffle-laden style. But oh, that phrase! That phrase has stuck with me. When I look at what remains of my now-gutted wardrobe and think about the kinds of things I want to find as replacements, I say, "Yep, that shit's pretty tickery-tackery."

I studded both sides of the shoulders, which took about 2-3 hours with some breaks stuck in there. I also wanted to stud around the front of the hood and make it even MORE tickery-tackery, but alas, the fabric there was far too thick.

It's loud, it's clearly hand-studded and poorly cut, and it kind of makes me look like a cheap Michael Jackson impersonator. But I love it. I really do. Viva la tickery-tackery!

And in other news: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'm thankful for many things, including all of you who read about my bad taste in clothes and my overwhelming lipstick obsession. <3