Dramatic Sleeves and Dramatic Poses

I shop at Target a lot, but I don't venture into the clothing section too often as I don't like to add to my bill (hello, self control?). When I do check from time to time, I fell in love with a piece. This black knit dress from the Who What Wear collection really caught my attention (plus size available too!) and I'm so glad I made the purchase.

Besides the fun, dramatic bell flared sleeves, the stretch knit is so comfortable and keeps a nice shape while it's on. I've already worn and washed the dress twice and it is still perfect! It's a great travel knit too, just fold and roll. Easy dress to style a variety of ways, I just have to figure out some ways to layer so I'm not covering up the sleeves, but the dress also looks amazing with my velvet coat.......

Wearing: black velvet beret (vintage, via estate sale), velvet coat (vintage, via eBay), dress (Target), cross scarf (gift), winklepickers (thrifted, from Julie Ann)

Do you find pieces from Target (or other department stores) that you love?

Thank you for reading, until next time!

It Doesn't Take A Lot of Money To Look This Tacky

"It doesn't take a lot of money to look this tacky", is something I say quite often and I really don't mean that I think it's tacky......I think it's FABULOUS! (You have probably figured out by now that I'm a very tongue-in-cheek person) What I am referencing to in this instance is for my love of collecting (and wearing) muumuu's and caftans. The one I am wearing is my newest addition that I snatched off ebay for $16.99, which included shipping. And, the perfect opportunity to wear this beauty was for Tiki Tuesday at our favorite restaurant. I even turned a few heads, hahaha!!!!

Fish and palm trees and blue water, oh my!

I love this style of caftan, I would think it would be amazing if I could make the same style with some spooky prints. Derek and I have been talking about it for years and would love to have a matching Hawaiian style honeymoon set made for us (camp shirt and muumuu) with a print that has bats and pineapples or something along those lines. Mixing the two things we love! Probably would have to have the fabric printed and search out a seamstress (or seamster) to make us our dream garments come true. Sigh.....a gal can dream. Hahaha!!!!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

DIY Project: Green Velvet Settee

LOL @ the sock and slipper combo.

I picked up this lovely vintage green velvet settee from an estate sale. I had visited the sale on Friday and wasn't crazy about the price, so I returned on Saturday for half price day and got a great deal. The lovely lady at the estate sale gave me a great price tag of $35, so I couldn't resist!

The settee is in excellent shape, BUT it smelled musty. The first thing I did was spray the fabric down with cheap vodka. Yep, vodka! The cheaper the better as it helps with musty smells or "vintage smells" on fabric like; velvet, cotton, faux fur, etc. Tip-I suggest testing a small spot, before you spray the entire surface.

I used the at home Dryel kit to dry clean the cushion cover. Worked like a charm!

*not sponsored, I just like it!

Next, I removed the cushion cover to dry clean and discovered the cushion was the real source of the musty funk. I already was planning on replacing the cushion myself, so I hopped onto Amazon and ordered some high density foam that I will be cut to fit the cushion cover. I've never done anything like this, but luckily there are some great Youtube videos to help guide me. It also helps that Derek is here to lend me a hand. *Wink* I'll keep you posted on how the settee project goes.

Thank you for reading, until next time!

80s does 40s: Animal Instincts

I had originally picked up this dress while thrifting to sell in my etsy shop, but out of sheer curiosity I tried it on when I got home and needless to say I decided to keep it. I loved the way the dress fits, it's a lovely 80s does 40s wiggle style dress that is made out of the softest knit I've ever worn.

And it's incredibly figure flattering. I love, love, looooove the slight ruching that is at the waist and sweeps to one side. Me-OW! I'm not quite sure what color the background is as sometimes it looks gray and sometimes it looks bluish, so I'm going to say it's a bluish gray with a black animal pattern all over. Which animal does it look like to you? I can't seem to figure that one out. Hahaha, oh 80s fashion!

Wearing; sweater, dress, boots, beret (all vintage), rhinestone spider brooch (I wore on my wedding dress), earrings (The Pumpking Coven)

I'm going to try my darnest to wear my 80s dresses this winter. I have a few lovely pieces that need to get worn and I hope to feature them here. I have a lot of fun wearing vintage and adding my own personal spins and touches. *Wink*

Thank you for reading, until next time!

Kitsch Picks: Raw Bone Studio

+sugar skull leggings +vintage halloween banner

+paint by number cats throw pillow +vintage masks umbrella

Raw Bone Studio makes my weird kitschy heart sing! Robin Rawbone's "retro-inspired whimsical" items include; pillows, umbrellas, dresses, leggings and plush felt ornaments. I really dig the large graphic prints and colors!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

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

Feelin' Tropical

Phew! It's been HOT, so dresses for working meant trying to wear as little as possible while still being work appropriate. So,  I decided on the Tiki Serenade Dress (also seen here) by Heart of Haute that hasn't really seen the late of day in almost two years. It's a wonderful cotton dress, but it got neglected due to the halter straps.

I gave tying the straps a different way, a way that Julie Ann mentioned she saw a pinup model on Instagram tie the straps off to the side and into a bow. So, rather than the large knotted bow being at the back of my neck, I looped one strap around to meet the other side (on my right side) and tied them together. It did look cute, but left a very long tail that I had to tuck into the dress. 

Still not super crazy about wearing halters, but I'm still going to experiment with the straps as I realized how much I really dig the pattern on this dress and the shape looks flattering on everyone! 

Wearing; Tiki Serenade dress (Heart of Haute), orange hibiscus (made by me), bamboo earrings (Cats Like Us), bamboo bangles (vintage via etsy), Tiki necklace (Charcoal Designs), cork wedges (given to me by Julie Ann)

Another work outfit this week revolved around wearing these vintage barkcloth Hawaiian shorts that belong to a set that was a cropped top. No crop tops at work, so I paired the shorts with a sleeveless collared button-up. I don't tend to wear shorts, but when it's hot and you basically don't care, they are a comfy style and something I need to wear more often=outfit time.

I was trying to emote my joy in my shorts and "CRACK!". That was my hip telling me to stop being such a goof. Well hip, that's never going to happen! Muahahaha, ouch. 

Side note: No bloggers have been hurt in the making of this blog.

I needed a necklace to wear as one of my vintage shells necklaces broke right in my hand, so I grabbed Derek's Tiki bolo tie and it sat perfectly posed all day. I hope I can repair that necklace, wahhh!!!!

Wearing; sleeveless collared shirt (thrift), barkcloth Hawaiian shorts (vintage), hair flower (made by me), earrings (80s vintage), Tiki bolo tie (vintage), black flats I always wear (Aerosoles).

I have off today, so I'm going out to hunt for treasures with my friend Jodee. I hope you all have a great Saturday!!!

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Ribcage Sweater

Julie Ann at work asked me how many rib cage sweaters I owned and I replied with laugh, "three". This Iron Fist rib cage sweater was picked up on a super after Christmas sale and I really loved the Peter Pan collar. It's a pull over sweater, which I generally don't gravitate towards, but it's Winter and being warm was more on my mind.

I'm wearing; rib cage sweater (Iron Fist), pleated skirt (vintage, from Julie Ann), polka dot scarf (Sourpuss Clothing), purple velvet boots (6pm.com), earrings (vintage), and coffin brooch (Charcoal Designs).

As I'm typing this, we are waiting to have a plumbing service come to the house and *hopefully* be able to give us some good news. We have been dealing with a sewer line issues since last year and we finally know that part of the pipe is collapsed. We are hoping they can help us to repair it in a 'non-digging up everything' sort of way. We've both been stressed out as we have other house issues to add to the list, BUT I am grateful for a roof over my head (even though there is a leak, ha!) and our boiler is still working. This Old Goth Haus is 129 years old, so we knew it wasn't going to be an easy road of home ownership.....

Luckily we are a great team and when there is goal in mind, we work towards that goal until the end.

*Fingers and toes crossed*

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Just A Little Kitschmas

Derek and I went out looking for Christmas decorations yesterday and since we love kitsch and vintage-inspired decor, we opted to visit a few local antique shops and co-ops. We came home with a few neat pieces to add to our sparse collection.

I'm not a Christmas fanatic and got a 'bah humbug' attitude from working in retail for so many years, but being with Derek has made it a lot of fun. We do our own thing, in our own way and make the holidays our own. There is too much pressure people put on themselves with baking, cooking, shopping, family gatherings, etc. Pfffft. Just enjoy some holiday cheer (wine) and chill out!

blow mold toy solider :)

Merry Kitschmas my dear readers! Off to find some more weirdness!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

The Jacket Matches the Drapes

jacket also featured here

What are you dirty birdies thinking?! I really do match my curtains. Hehehe!!!!

While going through the closet this morning and trying to decide what to wear to work, I realized that this vintage barkcloth coat matches my repro barkcloth curtain panels that I had sewn together. PHOTO OP!!!

The patterns are not quite the same and the background colors are different, yet it makes me giggle when I match my surroundings......and I really do love mid century atomic prints, especially in darker colorways.

Off to work I go! Have a great weekend everyone!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

And It Rained All Day

vintage koi tea timer blouse : ebay

It rained all day on Sunday, but it was nice and warm in our Tiki "hut".

The rain didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves with a few guests for an impromtu gathering. It was a good excuse to wear my "new" koi fish tea timer style blouse, which I fell in love with while casually borrowing on eBay. Fits me perfectly!

hair flower slapped together by me. vintage earrings from a friend

I've been slowly adding shirts to my Tiki wardrobe, which stands out like a blaring tropical ray of sunshine amongst all the black. Tropical patterns make me smile, Polynesian Pop makes my heart sing and it's all just a part of what I love, hence the name Coffin Kitsch. *Wink*

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Black Velvet and Leopard

Welcome to our wall of velvet paintings! Since I was feeling sassy after getting a hair trim, so I decided to slip on this vintage 60s leopard lounge dress over a pair of cheetah print leggings and gold sandals. The gold sandals were picked up at an estate sale for $3, as I have a 'thing' for gold shoes and was excited to find ones that I really like.

I bought this dress at a local antique mall for $15 and it looks like someone hand sewed large black sequins all over, so it made me love it even more! The asymmetrical hem and flowy nylon fabric makes this lounge dress wonderful for.....well, lounging! Vintage leopard print lounge wear/lingerie by Vanity Fair is very desirable and collectible, yet I love it because it's sexy and leopard!!!

So, what better place to show off this leopard lounger than to pose against our wall-o-velvet?

(PS-The Tiki painting was painted by Derek)

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

We Bought a Plamp

It was an amazing vintage shopping day filled with Hawaiiana, six pairs of barkcloth atomic print curtains, a antique laudanum bottle, vintage chalkware and a plamp. Yes, a plamp=plant lamp.

Hahahaha! (I've had a few cocktails while writing this, whoops!) *Wink wink*

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Vintage Wishlist

+80s Grecian Style dress +Tiger Faux Fur Jacket

+Mod Ruffle dress +Layered Batwing dress

Just some vintage pieces I've been daydreaming about! The tiger jacket just screams, "Craaaaaaaaaamps style!"

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Winter Weather Advisory

There *was* snow on the ground yesterday, but it disappeared by the time Derek and I left to run some errands. Today is a different story, snow on the ground and lots of areas in the Southtown's of Buffalo got dumped on! Winter is here. Dun dun dunnnnn!

Since I live in a winter wonderland, I need a good coat. Though there are many that live in my closet, I was looking for a nice black coat to replace my black moto style coat that has a broken zipper (I've taken the coat to a few tailor's that won't replace the zipper or tell me there is nothing wrong with it...there is) Rant alert: Why do coats that are thin as paper with no lining and are made of crap polyester cost an average of $100?! Bah! I need to be warm! 

I turned to searching at my favorite thrift store and scored this beautiful vintage wool and fully lined coat for $14. I had the coat dry cleaned for $11, switched out a broken button and Voila! Add a soft chenille scarf (handmade gift from my sister-in-law) and a thrifted wool beret with my isotoner gloves and I'm ready for this winter thing. 

Bah humbug. This is when I start to hide in the Tiki room and pretend on I'm in a tropical paradise.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Drop Waist

I pulled out this vintage wool dress I got from my friend Julie Ann, put it on and felt really cute. I love the cut, the satin bow at the shoulder and the neckline. I was hesitant about the drop waist, but it looked good in the mirror..or so I thought. 

After reviewing the photos, I was not happy with how the dress made my pear shaped body look. I know, I know, woman's bodies aren't fruit, but it's a way to describe my, 'small on top and larger on the botttom', body type. The dropped waist emphasis's my hips and belly area, which are two places I try to minimize as much as possible. Ugh! I got upset and changed my whole outfit 15 minutes before leaving for work. I was going to delete the photos and not share them....

I changed my mind and wanted to share. Why? Because I'm not perfect. I don't have a "perfect" body, but it's mine and that's all I know! I embraced trying a new style and though it's not the most flattering thing I've worn,  it made me happy. I should have just gone with the way it made me feel=cute and happy. The worst thing was that I let looking at a few photos effect me, made me feel that my body was ugly or lumpy or I just focused on one area.

Blah, I fell into the microscope of self judgement and forgot to see; how cute the outfit looked as a whole, how I liked my hair, my brows, or I'm smiling because Derek and I were chatting in the morning. Fashion is supposed to be a fun expression of yourself, not something to beat yourself up with or for it to bring you down. Hell, we also don't stand around all day looking like we're posed for pictures! Unless, that's your job...well then.

Our bodies are our temples and we should decorate it everyday for celebration to make ourselves happy without regret and judgement. -My new mantra.

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla