New Shark Bites! (OOTD #3)

July 9, 2016July 9, 2016 / The Particular Overall Collection / 1 Comment

Hey there friends that want to gawk at my funny fashion!

Tropical bird alert!

Here are two of my outfits from this first week of July!

I’ve got THREE great new dresses that Mom got me on her cat-sitting adventure down in Florida. She made a day trip up to Daytona to hit up the flea market (see this post) get me more “shark bite dresses”. I’m talking about the little short dresses that are longer on the sides and come to points–kind of like a shark bite! They are so comfy to wear paired with leggings. It feels like wearing pajamas but looks so cute! I love comfortable sass.

Please excuse my lack of eye make-up as my allergies have been AWFUL and my lashes haven’t been graced with mascara in about a month >:p

{LEFT} Pepperoni pizza tee for $5 off the sale rack at Walmart. Dress was $5 and came from Ross a few years back. I cut about three feet off it (I looked like Holly Hobbie lol) and it became on of my favorites! I’ve even worn it to Carowinds with bike shorts under it. We’ll get to that crazy necklace in another post!

{RIGHT} Shark bite dress paired with a thrifted Elle top from Kohls. Note the awesome polka dots AND stripes together! I have to wear long sleeves at work because it is approximately -14 degrees Fahrenheit at my job. Also note the SPARKLES all over that dang cheetah on the dress! Stay tuned for the rest of the ones Mom got for me.

{LEFT} leggings from the Daytona Flea Market $3

{RIGHT} leggings from Walmart for $3

If you know me well at all you will know that I have awful chronic back pain. My particular pain is in my lower back (L4 &L5 if you’re nerdy enough to know) where I blew a disk about 8 years ago. I LOVE wearing high heels–I have super high arches and heels feel SO GOOD on my feet. Crazy, I know. Unfortunately, heels are awful for my back 😦 Since I’ve had a few weeks of a not-so-happy back I’ve been in my flats, like Birkenstocks. They make for a much happier back.

Now don’t start hating over this, but I snagged these Birks for TEN BUCKS at an outlet sale. I had just blown out an awesome pair that I’d had for years. Birkenstocks, y’all. They feel great!

Tomato Swatch from Spring 2016 collection.

Pink zipper bracelet came from the June DokiDoki crate.

One of my co-workers told me about a new store over in Gastonia called Gabe’s. I was over in that direction delivering sandwiches to Mr. Smith a few weeks back, so I stopped by. OMG y’all, that place is FULL of FUN. So many great deals. I found a whole display rack of zipper headbands that look very similar to my pink zipper bracelet. They were only 50 cents each! I cut the stretchy headband part off and made them in to bracelets. Because really, a zipper headband seems like a bad idea, right?

Here is a little sneak peek at what I’ve been crafting!

I’m trying to get some backstock ready for winter, so I’m back at knitting mitts! I’m having a lot of fun with these colors and the faux fair isle pattern–yay for “baja blast” lol. Let me know if you want to get on my list for winter–it’ll be chilly again before we know it!

What are you wearing this summer?

How hot is it where you are?

Stay tuned for more fashion from the tropical bird!

❤

Picayune Pictures #5

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 / The Particular Overall Collection / 2 Comments

Here is one of the reasons you haven’t heard from me in days! I was really hoping to do some on-the-road blogging but my dear darling Duck Rabbit “wild cat” Rousey did THIS to my phone’s charging cord. As you can see, I tried to repair it before. After two nights of not getting a good charge on my phone I realized it was because the cord was nearly chewed in half. I pretty much just had enough juice to get some pictures taken. Now I have a fancy new pink cord. BAD KITTY.

BAD KITTY!

I have had MAJOR knitting drama over the past week or so. I’ve been working on my third sweater (in a pattern I’ve knitted twice before) and I really messed up some calculations. I’d come up with a way to “fix” one of the mistakes (laddering was a success) but when the next wrong calculation (the steek was also a success but created a NEW problem) became obvious I just decided to take. the. whole. damn. thing. apart. I’ve since restarted it with major modifications. Stay tuned to see if I’m happier with the second attempt. Totally bummertown.

Aaaaand my little bird friend from last spring is back and has taken up residence in my mail box again. I’ve got to write a “Do Not Disturb” sign on it so that mama bird doesn’t abandon her eggs. Does anyone recognize what type they might be? If so, please comment!

I was really sad to hear about the passing of Earl Hamner, Jr. For those who might not recognize his name, he was the author of the book The Homecoming that later inspired the television show The Waltons. This book particular copy of the book was given to me years back and it has since been one of my most prized possessions. If you haven’t read the book, you totally should–I can’t say enough good things about it, particularly if you are interested in frugal country living and wholesome family fun. Here is a wonderful obituary that the New York Times posted over the weekend.

I had Easter lunch at my house with my mom and Mr. Smith! We had Alton Brown’s citrus salmon (a family favorite), deviled eggs, roasted sweet potato salad, the best coleslaw ever, and grilled pineapple on coconut gelato for dessert. And wine, of course. Would you like a tutorial on how to make this award winning slaw? To be honest it hasn’t actually won any awards but I am pretty sure it would/could/will someday. Tell me if you are interested in the recipe and I *might* let y’all in on the secret ingredients.

After cutting the grass for the first time this season it was time to whip out the Twang. Stay tuned for a special drink themed post later in the week… 😉

I’ve also got two vacation posts coming up–about the area in eastern North Carolina where I used to live, and the trip mom and I made to Replacements. Stay tuned for the posts that were inhibited because of the phone cord drama! BAD KITTY!

For your Feet! (and legs)

February 25, 2016 / The Particular Overall Collection / 4 Comments

I can’t help myself. I like fashion. I really do like it.

I am a pretty serious thrift store shopper and I also like making my own things. However, I get tons of inspiration from places like Pinterest and the daily fashions of the bloggers I follow. Since I have no desire to pay retail (for a wide variety of reasons, least of which is that I can’t afford to) I like looking for DIY versions and vintage counter-parts that may have even inspired current items.

The things I do end up buying new are usually socks and leggings and sometimes shoes. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites that I’ve pinned over the years.

I’m not sure I could bring myself to run in these shoes below–they’re too cute! Plus, I am a barefoot style jogger and wear these hideous things that look like a nightmare but great for running (in my opinion).

http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/launch/c/2015-04/nike-x-liberty-summer-2015-collection

http://sneakernews.com/2014/04/02/adidas-zx-9000-memphis-group/

Sneakers on right by Nike Liberty. Sneaker on left by Memphis Group adidas.

I totally have versions of both these socks below. I did not buy them through this website so I can’t speak for their particular quality but DANG they are cute as all get out. For “novelty” socks the price is not too bad. If you spend $25 you get free shipping, which is pretty much 3 pair and you’ll definitely want at least 3 pair!!

via sockdrawer.com

The Dainty Squid originally turned me on to Mod Cloth and all of their drool worthy goods. This past week a pair of socks appeared on Kaylah’s Friday Favorites. These two pair below are on my “when-I-get-some-extra-flow” list. I think the ones on the right look sort of like flamingos. And the ones on the left, I mean, come on! Kittens in the pussy willows?! Too cute and SO ME!

via modcloth.com

Kawaii, y’all. Are you familiar with the term? My personal definition of kawaii is a combination of colorful and cute with a child-like feeling. My whole look is not always as over the top as kawaii often is, but it’s still a pretty good description of how I dress when I’m not just in jeans and a tee shirt.

JUST LOOK AT THE COLORS!

My favorite things: minty green/Baja Blast, sprinkled sweets, and Totoro!

via https://www.etsy.com/listing/250215573/hand-dyed-yoga-leggings-polka-dot

via http://www.livingroyal.com/products/donuts-socks

via https://www.etsy.com/listing/201400878/floral-totoro-thigh-high-stockings

And while we are drooling, let’s go ahead and admire these shoes…

via irregularchoice.com

via palladiumboots.com

Irregular Choice and Palladium Boots are my most coveted shoe brands. Seriously, I would wear anything from either brand. I may never forgive myself for not getting those glow boots last winter season. I have a basic black pair that I LOVE. A glowing sole? Ugh. Want. So. Baddd.

Just an FYI, I wear a European size 37 ❤

And just one more thing:

via coonsmithsutlery.com

SOCKS MADE BY ME!

Like I said, I do occasionally splurge on fancy stuff, but I also make my own socks. I sell them on my etsy shop, so you can splurge and buy them and then I can splurge and buy more fancy socks! We all win, haha! If you see anything you like, let me know!

Until next time, keep your feet happy, however that suits YOU!