A Thrift Store Cutie

Most of the time when I am thrifting or second hand shopping I'm looking for items for my etsy shop or items for resale, but occasionally I will find a little cutie for myself. This little dress was picked up for $4 and I was surprised that it had a Forever 21 label.

Though it's hard to see in the photo, I'm wearing a pair of stretch lace bike shorts by Deranged Designs. These are the best and most comfortable bike shorts I've ever owned! Not only is their construction superior, they are incredibly comfortable. The shorts make wearing dresses that are too short for me easier to wear as I don't like my bum hanging out. Hahahaha!!!

Wearing; bow dress (thrift store), spiked flower headband (Bling Beauty Bowtique), Siren (Matte Lipstick by NYX Cosmetics)

Looking forward to the weekend, we're heading to Cleveland, Ohio for some adventure.

Thank you for reading, until next time!

80s Knit Dress

Since I've been amping up my thrift hunting, I've been finding a few treasure to add to my own personal closet, like this 80s button-up knit dress. Warm, cozy, has pockets AND shoulder pads. Hehehe! I've given myself a sort of a light "challenge" to only purchase second hand clothing and stay away from tempting online shopping (unless it's eBay or etsy). I tend to prefer to buy things second hand and thrift, but have been more conscious of it and thus keeping my money in my wallet rather than impulse shopping.

Well my friends, I've been battling terrible sinusitis and I'll be happy when I look normal enough to perhaps photograph some more of my recent thrift finds. I hope you all have a happy and healthy weekend!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

November Greetings

Hello friends! Phew, it's been a crazy few weeks and now with Halloween past (which in my mind it's NEVER over), I have to start thinking ahead to the holidays. I know, I know *groan*. I'm not talking about Yule, I'm talking about Thanksgiving and all the plans we have with friends and our family. I feel like November is going to be over in the blink of an eye and I'll be left dumbfounded like I am very year. 

The other thing that has been crazy busy is my etsy shop as well as I've been off on buying adventures with my husband and friend Jodee. Actually, Jodee snapped a photo of me while at an estate sale this weekend. I LOVE the room dividers that were in the basement as I love vintage kitsch and tacky decor, plus I love the colors. Cool part of my outfit (photo above) was that I am wearing the velvet beret and silver chain necklace from the previous week's second hand finds. I have been looking for a velvet beret and you can't beat 'fill a bag for $5', so the hat came home with some other friends. Hahaha!!!

I have to have a lot of self control when I'm estate sales, rummage sales, thrift shops, etc., as our house would look like an episode of Hoarders. So, I try and keep things to a minimum even when things are just a .25 cents or even free, but I couldn't resist gold lurex knit gloves for $1, because I can wear them with my velvet coats. Hehehe!!! Yes, I like gold in certain situations, especially when they are items from the Victorian Era, or 60s/70s. Oh lurex, I love you, but you itch like CRAZY!!!

I hope to get back into some sort of regular blogging routine, but as you all know life is not always predictable...which I'm also okay with!

Thank you for reading, until next time!!!

PS-I wanted to thank everyone for their lovely comments on my Halloween post, I haven't been able to respond, but they are much appreciated!! <3

Hello My Dearest Readers!

Where the heck did the time go since last Monday?! Last week was a blur with; my doctor's appointment, blood work, dog sitting (and are currently), working and trying to relax a little. *Phew*

Another thing I've turned my attentions to is the inside of house. I was hunting for some small shelves for the interior bar (which is in the living room) to display our Treasure Craft Hawaiian figures and some Tiki mugs. I got the shelves off etsy for a great deal. I love etsy!

I finally filled in the silver wall space left of the shelving unit. The photo is dark (sorry), but there is a framed glass syringe at the top and two framed items I got from the Target "impulse" section. 

My latest find was the little tiered stand that I picked up at a garage sale for $3. I plan on displaying some of our little knick knacks and skulls. I find little shelves come in handy in a household that loves their tchotchke's. We also need to find a home for the pile of black velvet paintings on the right. Hehe!

Oh yes, I just have to share my deviled eggs platter that I made over the extended weekend. We had a last minute get together and serving retro style finger foods are my favorite. I love having gatherings!

So yeah, that's about it. I hope you are all having a fantastic week!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

A Few Days with Fancy Hair

Hello friends! The last few days have been filled with friends, getting my hair done and having fancy hair from a photoshoot I did with Jennifer Link Kieffer for Auxiliary Magazine. My friend hair trimmed and colored my hair on Friday and my hair was done by my friend Lauren-Ashley for the photoshoot. 

The photoshoot was very early on Sunday morning, so after coming home to change and wash off the dramatic photoshoot makeup, I was determined to take my hair out for lunch. Oh yeah, Derek came too! Hahaha! 

I slipped on my favorite sleeveless lace top, an eShakti skirt that has become a summer favorite, black flats and my bat parasol from Sourpuss Clothing. We then headed down to the Elmwood Strip (which I've been haunting that part of town since I was a teenager) and munched on lovely Mediterranean food while on the restaurants upper patio. We chatted about how much Buffalo has changed over the years and how cool it is to see the city thriving. Sigh, I love summer's in Buffalo.

On Monday I still took advantage of my locks lookin' lovely and dressed for a very warm day that was going to included running errands and thrift shopping. I paired my favorite skirt (thrifted) with a basic tank top, black comfy flats and a fringed skull and floral Kimono that was given me by my friend Leslie.

I realize that my love of Kimono's doesn't get included in the blog too often. I have several that I like to thrown on when I'm going to out in the sun. The kimono sheds my shoulders and helps keep me warm when I'm going in and out of air conditioned buildings. I also can't lie that I love how dramatic they look when they are blowing in the wind. Hehe!

Shout out to this skirt for having the best pockets ever! I can put my cell phone, measuring tape (handy to have while thrifting) and my lip balm in them without looking overly bulky. Bonus!

I have to mention that it was a good thrifting day. Derek is always my good luck charm and it's great to have a second set of eyes helping to look for vintage treasures. I picked up a red card table for next-to-nothing and a few clothing items and I was smiling from ear to ear.

How was your weekend?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Big 80s Sweater Casual

I gotta tell you I was pretty darn excited when I found this long 80s sweater mixed in with the dresses while I was thrift shopping. I had been scouring the internet for another oversized sweater to add to my wardrobe and (of course) I had no luck. This sweater had amazingly huge shoulder pads that I cut out, because I'm not THAT in love with the 80s....been there, done that. And I have to point out the wonderful cuffs and sleeves.

It also has pockets!

The older I get and the more curated my closet becomes, the more I realize I prefer second hand shopping. I don't know if it's the thrill of the hunt, or the unique pieces I find, but I just really enjoy a thrift shop/vintage shop more than most other retail. Grant it, shop small and shop local!

I have picked up a few things via eBay this month, some barkcloth items to add to my Tiki wardrobe and a velvet coat which I am looking forward to pairing with my lace dresses. 

In other news, this was the scene Friday morning. Derek is using an axe he found in our shed to hack at the ice. I told him he's been listening to too much Viking Metal. Haha!!!

I decided to tell Spring that it's okay to come soon, the plastic pink flamingos are sick of being hidden away. Our neighbors must think we're insane, but hopefully I at least gave them a little chuckle.

Time to get ready to go pick up a 60s chromcraft dining set that I've been dreaming about. It needs some TLC, but for the great price, we're up for the challenge!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Gold

+sweater and skirt: thrift +leopard boots: 6pm.com 

+snake earrings: from Julie Ann

+hair color: purple and lavender mixed, Ion

Yep. I like gold. I especially love gold lam'e with leopard print, but that's for another time. I re-purpled the hair which came out darker than expected, but we all know that fantasy hair dyes fade. Anywho, I love this embroidered knit sweater I thrifted, it's granny goth chic at its finest!

The vintage sweater has these beautiful gold buttons down and front and on the sleeves along with the embroidered roses and filigree. I knew I had the perfect sweater to go with the gold snake earrings that were presented to me by Julie Ann, who knew I would either love them or hate them. I mean, come on, they are GOLD SNAKE EARRINGS, so they were welcomed into my tacky tastes. 

Derek shook his head when we first saw the earrings, but was impressed when I put them with this sweater. He always laughs at me (lovingly), because he sees these things I come home with, but then again I'm usually dancing and singing when I am showing him my thrift finds and convincing him of the awesome potential. 

Gold snakes hanging off my lobes. Very Egyptian!

I'm having too much fun over here!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Hard to See Purple Velvet Dress

After reviewing the photos, I realized that you can't tell that this dress is dark purple, haha! It makes sense as Derek didn't realize it was purple until he saw the dress in direct light and exclaimed, "Wow, it's purple!". It's a sleeveless stretch velvet dress that I picked up at a thrift store for a few bucks. You know, the ones I used to wear in the 90s that's (now) considered retro. So weird!

Pretty simple outfit for a warm day, which made me happy that I didn't have to sport five layers of clothing. The Spring Equinox is eight days away and I'm looking forward to packing away all the heavy sweaters and pulling out my cotton dresses and wearing my vests. Positive warm thoughts!

Shoe cam!

In other randomness, I've had "Barbarism Begins At Home" stuck in my head ever since last Friday's The Cure vs. The Smiths dance party. It's one of my favorite Smiths songs played at one of my favorite dance nights of the year.....but you know I love The Cure more. 

Thank you for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Inspired by Robert Smith

When I spotted this floral top while thrift shopping, I instantly thought "Robert Smith!". I snapped up the shirt for $3 and knew I could make it work in my wardrobe. When I choose to wear loud prints, I often will tone down the other elements of the outfit in order to draw the focus to the print. In this case, I paired the top with some high-waisted black skinny pants and an oversized black sweater. A long strain of beads, 80s style half hoop earrings and my spiked creepers completed the look 'a la inspired by Robert Smith.

                                                                    Shoe cam!

I have a big red smile (Black Cherry by NYX) due to getting a wonderful hair cut by my friend Lauren. Though it's not a huge difference in style, she took a huge bulk out of my over-grown sections, gave me a cute little side bang and she gave my grown out side some TLC. Yay! When my hair is happy, I am happy.....

....so happy that I'm falling over in mid-photo. Yep, I was dancing and then the timer went off. Haha!!!

Do you find fashion inspiration from your favorite musicians?

XOXO-Meagan Kyla