Some Weekly Work Outfits

Hello friends! Just some outfits I've worn to work this week. Trying to dress for weather that has been Spring-like, but still has a chilly breeze that has been chilling me to the bone!

I purchased the handmade felt Star Trek Next Generation Combadge pin from a local artisan Lumpy Buttons. Check out her etsy shop here. The pin reminds me of watching the show with my Father, so it makes me smile. (Psssst-I love Jean-Luc Picard and The Borg)

Wearing; sweater and lace t-shirt (H&M), red atomic space skirt (Steady Clothing), lace tights (Leg Avenue), comfy Mary Janes (T.J. Maxx) combadge (Lumpy Buttons)

Yeah, I wear a lot of black and white. I've gotten over it. I like what I like and I won't be stopping any time soon. Hahaha!!!

I finally got a chance to incorporate this layered chain necklace into an outfit. I purchased the necklace from Romwe.com several months ago. I usually don't order from websites like Romwe, but I really wanted this sweatshirt and took the risk in ordering. I didn't have any issues, didn't take a long time to get to me, yet I don't think ordering from Asian fashion websites is for me.

Wearing; shirtdress (eShakti), vest with patches sewn on my me (Sourpuss Clothing), belt (thrift), necklace (Romwe.com), pewter bone hoop earrings (Martha Rotten), boots (Dr. Martens via ebay)

I also wanted to take a quick moment and say thank you for all your support, comments and conversations we have on this blog. I really don't feel very supported at times (though Derek is my rock!), especially with all that I have done on previous or on-going projects. Sorta been feeling a little defeated lately, so even though this is just a 'silly little blog', it is important to me and so are all of you. 

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks: Banners by Bedlam Supply Co.

+pretty in pink 80s garland banner +beetlejuice party garland banner

(click on bold text to link to product)

Bedlam Supply Co. has a lot of amazing goodies, yet I'm immediately drawn to the fantastic garland banners. I've been decorating my sewing room, so naturally I've been window shopping on etsy and came across all the delights that Bedlam Supply Co. has to offer. Check them out and I'm sure you'll find something you love!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Swing With Me, Baby!

Two Saturday's ago I attended a swing dance that was sponsored by my work. I had an opportunity to give this purple leopard swing dress another try by modifying the armpits to make it more comfortable. It was a surprisingly easy fix and the dress is now back in the wardrobe, yay!!!

Wearing; purple leopard panel dress (Dead Threads), black shrug (Target), accessories (all gifts), bat wing flats (Iron Fist, Yule gift from Derek).

I got to wear these Iron Fist flats for the first time and they surprisingly work well for dancing. There isn't much to these flats, so I do believe they won't last me too long, but they are pretty adorable! 

Our swing dance lessons have been going very well, we just haven't had much time to practice since we've been putting a floor down (I've never been this sore in my life!), yet we've decided to continue beyond our introductory three sessions. We must practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!

Hehehe!!!! Thank you for reading, until next tome!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Purple for Prince

Purple velvet boots, I think Prince would have approved.

This Wednesday we lost Prince. I was at work when Julie Ann told me, I was in shock. I am a big fan, have been since I was a small child and I have to say I'm devastated. Though it sounds ridiculous to feel "devastated", yet you may have felt this way when David Bowie and/or Lemmy died, Prince is another legend gone too soon.

Prince crossed so many genres, made art through his on-stage visuals, costuming and film projects. As his lyrics in the song My Name is Prince says, "My name is Prince and I am funky. My name is Prince, the one and only". So, very true.

When I would feel down, I would put on a Prince album and just dance. I did the same thing when MTV stopped regular programming (on Wednesday) and played Prince videos, I just danced. I felt like the young girl who was obsessed with MTV and music videos in the 80s/90s, the young girl who was entranced by artist's music videos like Prince. Sigh....

Rest in peace the Purple One, thank you for bringing joy to my world and teaching me that self expression is important and liberating.

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Outfit Featuring Tiki Head Brooch by Babe Gang Patches

I am celebrating the weather change and the fact that I don't have to wear 12 layers of clothing. WOOHOOO! It's also nice to have the choice of taking outfit photos outside, even if it's in my sad sparse backyard. I have a black thumb, so late year we pulled up most of the plants to make way for a rock garden in the corner by the fence, with a possible water feature. We would like to make the backyard an extension of our own Tiki oasis.

Wearing; sleeveless swing dress (Forever 21), leopard blazer (Wet Seal), leggings (Sourpuss Clothing), black crystal necklace (flea market find), boots (Dr. Martens), Tiki Head Brooch (Babe Gang Patches)

I love this blazer, it has appeared on the blog many, many, MANY times. My Mom bought it for me as a treat several years ago when she came back to Buffalo for a visit. It was cute since while I was trying it on at the store and she was just smiling from ear to ear. Awww, Mom! We've been shopping buddies for years, even though sometimes we argue. Hehe!

Tiki Head Brooch by Babe Gang Patches was purchased by me.

Thank you for reading, until next tome!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Feelin' Fantastic!

These past few days have been a whirlwind of pretty awesome things. Sunday was filled with dance lessons and tacos with friends. Monday was finalizing our plans to get the sewer work done in late June and we got the flooring (we will be installing ourselves) for the living room and dining room areas, and I got my hair done.

But, the biggest accomplishment happened today. After 14 years, I conquered my fear of the dentist and it went wonderfully. Not only was I so relieved to have been treated so great, I do not any issues! The tooth pain that I thought was going to be a cavity that would lead to a root canal, turns out to be a grinding/clenching issue. Believe me, I know those are issues within themselves and this will need to be addressed with a mouth guard and trying to help alleviate my night anxieties, but NO CAVITIES. No drilling, no infection, not even a lot of scrapping/cleaning was needed. PHEW! I skipped out of the dentist's office and giggled at myself for getting so worked up. *Special shout out to Julie Ann, Andrew and Derek who helped me be brave!

But that's anxiety, and I've been working on alleviating it for many, many years. 

And in other amazing things that happened over these past few days, is getting a package from Jubly Umph! I ordered the Flamingos Print A4 and the I, Myself Am, Strange and Unusual Print and then they sent me all the other goodies! (I am wearing the Creepy Girl Bat Gang Pin in the photos above). Her art makes me smile from ear to ear!!!! 

I have a little extra pep in my step today. The sun is shining and I'm feeling pretty darn fantastic!

Have you ever over come something you feared?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Weekend Greetings!

Just a Polaroid snap shot that our friend Danny took while at Birdhouse for our friend Bryan's birthday. Earlier that day Derek and I both worked, then went to a swing dance that my work sponsored and then to the birthday party. Phew, it's been a great weekend so far!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks: Bath Products by Bizarro Au Go-Go

+bubble baphomet gift set

(click on bold text to link to product)

I love it when a company has an awesome sense of humor, so when I came across Bizarro Au Go-Go's bath products, I knew they had to be featured on Kitsch Picks! The Bubble Baphomet Gift Set is just one of the many amazingly blasphemously pun-tastic products. (Sorry if you're offended, but I think there is a little devil in all of us) I can't stop laughing at 'Rub-A-Dub Beelzebub', it's so much fun to say!!!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Bletchley Black Stripe Shirt Dress by Lindy Bop

A few weeks ago I was feeling depressed about the whole house business and ordered this dress from Lindy Bop. I know, retail therapy can be dangerous, hehehe! Anywho, they were having a sale, so I ordered the Bletchley Black Stripe Shirt Dress that had been on my radar. A shirt dress that is black and white stripes?! Yes, please! I was excited for it's arrival, sort of....

To put it bluntly, the fit is bizarre. I followed the size chart, I made sure I looked at the material content, and read the description before I ordered=these are all things I make sure I review before handing over my payment information. The dress is too big in the waist, though according to their size chart it should be 1/2 inch smaller than my natural waist (I went with the size closest to my measurements as the first dress I ordered was WAY too big), but I figured the material had a slight stretch and I would be OK. 

The cut of the dress is not made for taller gals, even though I'm only 5' 7" which is not that tall, yet it sits too high above my natural waist getting into the almost empire waist zone! I can't wear the belt that the dress came with because, I need more cinching power or it looks like a maturity dress. Okay, I know I sound a bit dramatic, but I demonstrated the dress's volume while I was at work and Julie Ann agreed.

SO WEIRD! 

I will not be ordering from Lindy Bop again, due to their fit and their generic size charts. I understand this is a less expensive brand, but it's still disappointing! I really wanted this to be a favorite in the closet.

Have you ever ordered from Lindy Bop? If so, how was your experience?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Side note: I measure clothing all the time for my job, so I understand size and size charts. I may do a 'how to measure yourself' blog in the future.

Nun Tattoo by Bryan Vomit

Here is my nun tattoo done by Bryan Gunsell aka Bryan Vomit. Check out his instagram, @vomicidal!!! Love this trash polka style piece that is now a permanent part of my leg collection!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Casual Fridays

Hello friends! How is everyone feelin' today?! I have to admit, I love casual Fridays. Though it's not really 'a thing' at the boutique (since we can basically wear whatever we like), it's nice to be able to be able to wear outfits that are easy and comfortable to wear.

Wearing; bow cardigan (old, Forever 21), pants (old, Forever 21), creepers, (super old, TUK Shoes), flamingo necklace (gift from Terri), flamingo bow (gift from Natalie of Gothy Two Shoes)

While at work, our friend Andrea pointed out my hair was 'not as teased' as normal. Hehehe! Yeah, gotta give the hair a break here and there.

Wearing; chiffon shift dress (from clothing swap), drapey cardigan (H&M), leggings (old, Forever 21), boots (6pm.com), necklace (Lemantula Designs).

I have off today! It's crazy as I don't know what to do with myself, hahaha! I know I get a chance to wear very lounge-y clothing as last night I had my nun tattoo completed on my right thigh. The spot is tender (always worth it), but I'm very excited to have this piece added to my leg collection!!!

What are you up to today?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks: Bones Lingerie

+bones and skulls bralette +bones and skulls high waist panty

(click on bold text to link to product)

Sometimes finding unique undergarments can be a chore, so Bones Lingerie is filling in the gap! Each piece is handmade by a 1 Womxn Show, April!!!! Check her out!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Spider Webs and Stripey Socks

I had this weird aversion to wearing horizontal striped socks or tights for the longest time, I don't know why as I used to wear striped tights all the time! Well, it was time to take the stripe knee socks out for a ride and I'm lovin' it....especially with Mary Janes.

Wearing; spider web cardigan (old, Sourpuss Clothing), babydoll dress (eShakti), Sister of Mercy necklace (???, etsy), striped socks (Sock it to Me), Mary Janes (Dr. Martens, ebay).

I'll always be amazed at how simple accessories or details on a garment can really pull an outfit together, even one as simple as what I am wearing. It makes me very happy!

If you wear stripey knee socks, how do you like to wear them?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

My Sewing Table Area

Hello, welcome to my sewing table! Tuesday was a very productive day with more progress on my sewing room and I accomplished a lot of little (personal) sewing tasks that needed to get done. I also did grocery shopping, cooked dinner and put up some new items on etsy. Yeah, I deserved that wine at the end of the day. Hahaha!!!

Mary of Mourning Glory Designs had commented on how she likes to see how others sewer's organize their spaces, so here I am! I have a very 'use what I have' mentality when it comes to organization, so I dug around in our basement and found the shelving unit along with the black ikea buckets. We have the metal bars that go with the ikea buckets, but they were too long to fit behind the shelf brackets. I asked Derek if he could help me rig up something in order for the buckets to hang on the wall, he wanted to get all fancy and buy some new wood and I said, "Pfffft, use what we've got!". Scrap wood is A-OK with this gal! 

A closer look at the sewing table when it was first completed. I have been dreaming of my own sewing table for years, but apartment living did not allow for such a thing to exist due to space. Once we moved into the house, I knew I could make or find something that was reasonable in cost and I could customized for the room. A light bulb went off after reading the IKEA Hackers blog, so we took a trip to the store and we picked up two desk table tops and 6 adjustable legs to create the sewing table. Derek suggested using 2x4's to really make the two tops strong and secure, plus it added extra height to the table. I believe the cost was somewhere under $100 for all the materials, I can't say no to that!

Casual, minimal makeup, backwards wearing tunic outfit of the day.

So that was my Tuesday! :)

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Adventures in Sewing: Contoured Burp Cloths

On Sunday I went to a baby shower for good friend's of ours and I made some contoured burp cloths! I was pretty excited to dive into my Halloween fabric stash and sew something fun for friend's who appreciate items that are on the 'spookier' side. I am also so thankful for my sewing table, it's amazing and makes me want to get back into sewing and attempt to make some garments from patterns (Eeeeeek, I hate following garment patterns!). My next project will be a pair of pajama pants for myself, I know it's silly as I'm not a complete novice sewer, but I've never made a pair before! 

Are you working on any sewing and/or craft projects?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

What's Black and White All Over?

Well, it's me. It's me most of the time. Hahaha! I do have to point out that there is a pop of Pink Flamingo, since they are the kitschiest birds around! 

Vulcan Butterfly wrote about a skirt that is a Wardrobe Workhorse and this black circle skirt by Steady Clothing is one of mine. I have to stop myself from wearing it everyday as it truly goes with everything! From t-shirts to blouses, sweaters and collared button-up's, this skirt has my heart.

Wearing; black & white blouse (hottopic.com), cardigan (old, Kohl's), pink flamingo brooch (Charcoal Designs), skirt (Steady Clothing), heart tights (???), Mary Janes (vintage, Dr. Martens)

My hair was sort of an accident, I was trying to figure out what to do with it as it was close to hair washing day (Have I ever mentioned I hate washing my hair?!!!) and this bouffant 60s-esque do' was born. So. Much. Hairspray. 

(That's Dolly Patron)

Hahaha, I love this!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Kitsch Picks : Earrings by Dulce Calaveritas

+bat heart earrings +spiderweb coffin earrings

+cemetery cross earrings (you choose which design) +creep earrings

(click on bold text to link to product)

Oops! Last week life got in the way and there was no Kitsch Picks, but this week I bring you Dulce Calaveritas and their darling etsy shop. These black acrylic earrings were just too awesome not to share, I love the designs and I love how they can add a little 'creepy kitsch' to any outfit.

Which ones are your favorite?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla