#i really like that last orange-ish colored one and the pink two-piece with the scarf

[26labrd]

all of castafiore's outfits in the castafiore emerald

[meme-and-askbox]

Get To Know Me Uncomfortably Well

1. What is you middle name?     Rae, and I don't hate it as much as I did when I was younger.  In fact, if I ever get published, my pen name is going to be Rae (redacted).

2. How old are you?     43, physically.  Emotionally, 3 or 300, given any particular day 3. When is your birthday?     15 October. 4. What is your zodiac sign?     Libra, and boy, am I ever. 5. What is your favorite color?     Purple, black, fushchia, aqua. 6. What’s your lucky number?     Don't have one.  I don't have luck. 7. Do you have any pets?     I have two.  Fucko and Harpo.  Actually, they're cats, named Sam (Samhain Murray) and Maggie (after Maggie the Cat in Gargoyles) 8. Where are you from?     North Carolina.  Lil bit outside Charlotte. 9. How tall are you?     It says 5'7 on my license, but.  It's probably more like 5'5 10. What shoe size are you?      Ladies 11 wide, Men's 8-9 depending on the shoe. 11. How many pairs of shoes do you own?      5.  Two pairs of Sketchers, a black pair I keep for funerals, a pair of suede ankle boots, and a pair of Harley Davidson biker boots. 12. What was your last dream about?      Roxy the pink police poodle.  She's a recurring dream, and I'm working on turning her and her handler into a novel. 13. What talents do you have?     I don't suck at writing.  I have pretty phenomenal reading retention; I can't tell you page numbers or anything, but I can recall that I read article X, and in it, they said A, B, and C.  I'm good with most non-reptile animals. 14. Are you psychic in any way?     Occasionally I have dreams that come true later, and I get odd flashes of deja vu, in that I'm certain I've done this before but I don't quite remember when. 15. Favorite song?     At the moment, it's "Glitter and Gold" by Barns Courtney 16. Favorite movie?     Sleeping Beauty. I can watch it a million times. 17. Who would be your ideal partner?     oh, oi.  I have no idea, because I don't want a partner.  I guess my ideal would be someone who had the same interests as me, and who didn't mind being either fucked off and left alone, or attended to every whim as the need occurs.  I'd honestly like to have someone to talk TV/Movies/Books with, have a cuddle every now and again, then fuck off to your own thing. 18. Do you want children?     Fuck no.  But even if I did, I couldn't have 'em anymore.  All the lady parts got surgically removed in my 20s. 19. Do you want a church wedding?     Do you WANT me to combust on the spot? 20. Are you religious?     More than I'd admit to, but less than my fam would like me to be. 21. Have you ever been to the hospital?     For myself?  Yes.  For someone else?  Yes. 22. Have you ever got in trouble with the law?     Do speeding tickets count?  Cause I had a couple. 23. Have you ever met any celebrities?     I have!  I used to hit the Star Trek convention circuit pretty heavy and I met most of the TOS cast, and the TNG cast too.  My favorite is John deLancie. 24. Baths or showers?     Showers, please. 25. What color socks are you wearing?     White with purple toes and heels. 26. Have you ever been famous?     Christ I hope not. 27. Would you like to be a big celebrity?     I'd like to be a Stephen-King level celeb, but not much more. 28. What type of music do you like?     80s and 90s.  I tuned out of music around 2000. 29. Have you ever been skinny dipping?     Uh, yes. 30. How many pillows do you sleep with?     5.  Three for my head, one between my knees, one tucked under my hip. 31. What position do you usually sleep in?     On my side, but lately it's been 50%-50% side/belly. 32. How big is your house?     3br, 2ba modular home.  So maybe 2000-ish sq ft? 33. What do you typically have for breakfast?     I don't.  I hate breakfast.  But because I take insulin, I usually scarf down some yogurt or Lance crackers. 34. Have you ever fired a gun?     Yes.  I enjoy guns even though I don't really own any.  My uncles both have/had huge collections, and I got my love from them.  But I know myself well enough to know that with my temper and my past suicidal tendencies, having a gun in the house would not end well. 35. Have you ever tried archery?     Nope 36. Favorite clean word?       Fudgin'. 37. Favorite swear word?     Fuck.  It's so versatile. 38. What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep?     48 hours. 39. Do you have any scars?     Quite a few. 40. Have you ever had a secret admirer?     Not a real one.  I thought I had one for awhile in high school, but it turned out to be a joke some of the guys on my bus route played on me. 41. Are you a good liar?     Depends on the subject.  In the small things, yes.  "Does this make my ass look big?"  "No, of course not."  But on the big stuff?  No.  I don't lie well. 42. Are you a good judge of character?     Nope.  I'd like to think I am, but I have a string of disastrous ex-friendships and relationships in my wake to prove that I am, in fact, a shitty judge of character. 43. Can you do any other accents other than your own?      Not convincingly. 44. Do you have a strong accent?     Some people say I do.  I don't hear it, but then, I'm surrounded by it. 45. What is your favorite accent?     British, Scots, Irish, Spanish, Greek, Italian.  In that order. 46. What is your personality type?      INFJ, if I remember right. 47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing?       My Harley boots. 48. Can you curl your tongue?      Nope. 49. Are you an innie or an outie?     Innie! 50. Left or right handed?     Right.  My dad was a leftie, though 51. Are you scared of spiders?      Nah, not really.  If I see one, I just burn the house down and go about my life.  Yes, I'm terrified of the little ELFs. 52. Favorite food?     Chicken and rice.  Cook the rice in chicken broth, simmer the chicken in with it, throw in a can of cream of chicken soup, stir, simmer until hot, and serve.  Best thing EVER. 53. Favorite foreign food?     Chinese.  Cashew Chicken, Orange Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork 54. Are you a clean or messy person?     Messy.  Cluttery.  Two Steps Away From Hoarding.  Take your pick. 55. Most used phrased?     Some variation of "fuck."  Lately, "fuck me." 56. Most used word?      See above, re: fuck 57. How long does it take for you to get ready?     If I'm showering first, about twenty minutes.  If I'm just getting dressed, about ten. 58. Do you have much of an ego?     I'd like to say no, but yes, I do. 59. Do you suck or bite lollipops?     Suck, baby. 60. Do you talk to yourself?     Sometimes I'm the only one who listens to me. 61. Do you sing to yourself?     Constantly, especially in the shower or when I'm cleaning. 62. Are you a good singer?     Fuck no. 63. Biggest Fear?     Snakes. 64. Are you a gossip?     Sometimes, especially with my besties. 65. Best dramatic movie you’ve seen?     Backdraft.  "You go... we go!" 66. Do you like long or short hair?     Shooooooooort. 67. Can you name all 50 states of America?     At one time I could.  But thanks to Yakko Warner, I can name all the countries of the world. 68. Favorite school subject?     Creative writing and physics.  I failed physics at the time, but I can tell, now that I understand most of it (thank you, Mythbusters!) that I would have loved it. 69. Extrovert or Introvert?     An extroverted introvert.  I don't MIND being around people, but I really would be happier with my own company.  But, when I am with other people, I am gregarious to the point of obnoxious. 70. Have you ever been scuba diving?     Nope. 71. What makes you nervous?     Practically everything. 72. Are you scared of the dark?     Nope.  Not since I was like, seven. 73. Do you correct people when they make mistakes?     They don't call me Grammar Nazi for nothing... 74. Are you ticklish?      I refuse to answer on the grounds it might be used against me. 75. Have you ever started a rumor?      Nope, but I've certainly helped pass them along. 76. Have you ever been in a position of authority?       Yep, I used to be manager of my office.  Hated it. 77. Have you ever drank underage?       Yep. 78. Have you ever done drugs?       Nope.  I don't like needles, and I don't have the cash. 79. Who was your first real crush?        Wayne E.  He looked so handsome in his ROTC uniform, and he was always nice and friendly with me and my BFF JC.  We both had huge crushes on him, but he was a few grades ahead of us, so I don't think we registered except as friends.  But that was okay. 80. How many piercings do you have?    Four.  Two in each ear. 81. Can you roll your Rs?     Thanks to Sra. Iglacia, yes.  Took her two whole semesters, but she got the whole flaming lot of us Southern kids rolling our Rs. 82. How fast can you type?    80ish WPM, last time I took a test. 83. How fast can you run?     I think a snail outpaced me. 84. What color is your hair?     A nice chocolately brown, with highlights trending a little auburn. 85. What color is your eyes?     Cornflower-type hazel. 86. What are you allergic to?     Mobic, IV contrast dye, Ciprofloxacin, medical-grate latex, ragweed and oak pollens, dumbasses. 87. Do you keep a journal?     Not in a few years, no.  I stopped when my dad died, idk why. 88. What do your parents do?     My dad's passed away, but before he died he was disabled, and before THAT, he was a computer systems programmer and analyst for Piedmont Natural Gas and Bank of America.  Mom's retired and disabled now with back problems, but she was an LPN before that. 89. Do you like your age?     No.  I hate being a responsible grown-up.  I want to be ten or eleven again, old enough to know things, but young enough not to be responsible for anything other than basic chores, and I still got allowance. 90. What makes you angry?     Practically everything, at some point.  My family puts it as I have a wild hair across my ass and it'll go off anytime. 91. Do you like your own name?     It's not a bad little name, but I always liked Daphne better. 92. Have you already thought of baby names, and if so what are they?    Fuck no.  Ugh. 93. Do you want a boy a girl for a child?     NEITHER.  I want cats.  or dogs.  or fish.  or a bird, I think I could love a bird.  or a turtle. 94. What are you strengths?    I'm loyal to a fault; if you're my friend, I am always in your corner and I will 100% throw hands with the first motherfucker who looks at you wrong. 95. What are your weaknesses?    Impulsive, careless, stubborn 96. How did you get your name?     My Dad's uncle (Kelly) and my mother's father (Ray became Rae).  Can you tell they were expecting a boy and got me? 97. Were your ancestors royalty?     Christ, no.  They were poor Irish. 98. Do you have any scars?     ...didn't we just answer this?  Yes. 99. Color of your bedspread?     Flowered. 100. Color of your room?    White walls, burgundy carpet.

from @evilwriter37  and @marcymakemagic

[greaterthannine-blog]

Autumn Spring Sprigs

Autumn is around the corner, and all the labels (well almost all) are at last releasing their autumn collections. I know many people on the internets are overly fond of the cool, crisp season, but past years overflowing with (in my opinion) nasty, mega-hyped-up Pumpkin Spice everything under-the-sun, and retail stores being filled to the brim with tacky and bulky scarves, poorly constructed sweaters, black cotton leggings and faux shearling lined boots typically have me puking a little simply thinking of what the red, orange and yellow leaves will bring. 

However, this year is a tad different.

When faced with the latter half of the year, I would undeniably choose to skip autumn entirely. But, this season is unique amongst past ones, and that is because one of my favorite brands has pulled quite the rabbit out of the hat. And for a label to persuade me to be minutely interested, let alone twittering in anticipation, for the coming autumn weather… Well. Let’s just say that is no easy task.

Now, this banging brand I am speaking of is none other than & Other Stories. I adore this company; their branding is incredible and their designs are impeccable and affordable. Not only do they reinvent classic pieces with a modern yet nostalgic persona, but the manner in which they are presented is unparalleled. Fabrics used are both bold and subtle; the shapes they drape are radiant; and any piece or ensemble produced is undoubtably ravishing on anyone. 

Given how I go gooey-eyed for practically anything from & Other Stories, I should probably mention why their latest release has me so uncharacteristically drooling for autumn.

Generally, autumn color palettes are unappealing to me. There’s just something about warm and syrupy reds, oranges and browns that unsettles me. Although that reaction may be due to my association of autumn with school and an abundance of common autumn “styles” I always see prancing around on obnoxious prepubescents.  Anyway, & Other Stories’ autumn pieces have me happy as a clam because instead of an autumn collection, they have essentially released a S/S [inspired] line for the fall! Ingenious. 

I mean, why have autumn when you can simply bypass the whole thing and jump right into spring again?! It’s perfect! And I love it. Why hasn’t this happened before?!

Well, that’s not quite what happened, but it’s still amazing besides. What & Other Stories has done is undeniably noteworthy in my book; they’ve used prints and fabrics with cheerier and colorful dyes that still fit an autumn atmosphere. They also have an arguably spunky spritz, but are featured on styles for cooling temperatures as one would expect. And as with anything made by the Paris, LA & Stockholm atelier, you can dress these pieces up, down or simply leave them as is and you will still look as lovely as Maria in the dress that Anita crafted for the neighborhood dance.

Note: The pieces featured in their respective categories are not listed in any particular order of favoritism; I love them all equally!

Dress on the Daily

While I did rage on about the prints earlier, I find that my favorite dresses from the & Other Stories fall release were frilly, flowy solids. I do love a good subtle frill; frills that are frivolously frilly are far too frilly to be fun (Boom. Admire that alliteration. It doth do me proud).

Layered Frill Dress in Black (link)

Wrap Dress in Red (link)

Frilled Dress in Orange (link)

Satin Frill Dress in Black (link)

Jackets for Joy

Yes, I know I know, these jackets don't look like S/S wear whatsoever. However, this is acceptable because, if there is one F/W necessity that I do in fact adore, it is outerwear. So even if these aren't light and bright and airy, I still melt over the prints of the first three jackets and pine for the furred collar of the fourth. 

Wool & Mohair Blend Long Coat in Green Tweed (link)

Floral Velvet Jacket (link)

Wool-Blend Coat in Mole Dark (link)

Faux Leather Jacket (link)

Topsy Turvy

It is now known that I overall do not like the autumn season, but that is mostly due to the mainstream general populace. Yet, two of my other frigid-weather staples (that I actually enjoy) are sweaters and blouses, and these ones exhibit a S/S feel with their whimsical twists to autumn styles. Yes, blouses are traditionally worn in warmer weather, especially the poofy and weightless ones I love (but I am the S/S enthusiast after all), and plus if you simply pop on a spiffy snazzy overcoat like the ones I shared above, well... You have yourself a bangin' autumn outfit.

Peplum Blouse in Car Print / Yellow (link)

Chenille Sweater in Pink (link)

Ruffles and Ribbed Turtleneck in White (link)

Frill Blouse in Blue (is it just me or does it plainly look purple?) (link)

Pantalons Parfait

This was initially going to be "Bountiful Bottoms" to include skirts and shorts, but if it is to be cooler, as autumn would entail, we can't wear shorts or mini skirts or else we'll freeze our actual bottoms off. I also find that I typically don't wear skirts... I've never been exceptionally fond of them and have prefer to dress more tomboy-ish-ly. Therefore, behold an awesome array of trousers and denim!

Leo Trousers (link)

Cropped Flared Denim Jeans in Blue (link)

Pleated Trousers in Black (link)

Straight Denim Jeans in Blue (although the drop-down for color does make it a tad difficult to determine which "Blue" you want to choose; just a heads up) (link)

Acceptable Accessories

These accessories are actually amazing as opposed to "acceptable" (I just thought it neat how both words begin with the letters A-C-C-E, so it was just a cleverer move at alliteration which I love). I did include a scarf, but it is a silk scarf rather than one of those nasty, bulky, tacky scarves with gross prints you find all over people with inept taste. This scarf is more elegant and is used for a little neck tie, headband or hair tie and is therefore, well you know *shrug,* acceptable.

The shoes are a couple items that really exude the S/S vibes of this release, and while there is the potential to freeze your feet... Fashion is pain? No, it's autumn, not the arctic circle; it's crisp not frigid, so it may be a bit nippy around your feet, but you'll look exquisite so it doesn't matter.

Mini Car Silk Scarf (link)

Suede Lace Up Sandalettes in Burgundy (link)

Leather Ballet Flats in Powder Pink (link)

Saddle Stitch Leather Shoulder Bag in Navy (link)

 Another Note: All images featured on this post were sourced from their respective piece's page from the & Other Stories online shop. The collage style cover art as well as pink paint splotches and lettering was later created/added using Adobe Photoshop CC.