Outfit: Belles, Tattered Skies

The Art of Dressing for Life: Wear what you love love love, and artfully live.

The outfit is perhaps a bit ordinary, nothing that shouts "fashion" or "art", or is particularly remarkable. A couple of plaids, a polka dot, a straw hat and gold shoes, thrown in for good measure. The dress method is very much the technique employed in childhood: throw on only garments that I love, whether or not they match. Some days, you just strike sartorial paydirt, and discover a sweet spot, where everything just works, in a random, round about sort of way. 

Somehow, the random mixing (and likely the straw derby) brought me to thinking about one of my favorite artists- Magritte, and how he captured the details of the mundane in such a dream-like, beautiful way. These days, my days, are pretty mundane- I've been working at home, and my source of income comes from selling my Fresh Picks online via Ebay and Etsy. The act of listing all day: not very glamorous, so perhaps it's a bit of a treat to doll up and parade in front of the camera! I had fun in a recent photo shoot- and I suppose I've been feeling very Bella, Tattered Skies lately.

Polka Dot Polka Dot Leopard Spot Leopard Spot

Somewhere I dreamt that polka dots were the leopard spots of the urban jungle. Actually, I got the idea from my dear friend, textile artist Lindsay Rickman. 

Sprung

Crushing Out on My Newest Dress by Karina Dresses: The Gala

I really enjoy putting together my favorite things and having it turn out to be a great outfit. Today's outfit is a result of some wardrobe play for me. Emerald is having its day in the sun, and I can't help but become even more drawn to it, after all it is the color of Spring! And what's more spring right now than the trending (but never out of fashion) "color" combo of Black and White? Or animal prints? Or polka dots? So while it looks like I'm acting like a fashion victim wearing all the latest trends together, the result is a classic (if not a bit quirky) blossoming of chic. In fact I feel the silhouette looks a bit turn of the last century, what, with a dash of panache from a bowler hat and librarian oxford heels and all.

And my most recent crush? BUTTERFLIES! I had started a budding collection of butterfly broaches some time ago- but when I stumbled onto a stash of them for sale at my local Goodwill, I went butterfly crazy. These two little vintage broaches have been pinned on me for about 4 days now. What better way to wait for spring than to be sprung?

Street Feet: Polka Dot Rainboots

Raindrops and Polka Dots: Feeling Right as Rain in Adorable Dotted Rainboots

Like All the Girls in Boston. When I wore these adorable polka dotted rainboots out and about on Greenwood Ave the other day, I received quite an unusual amount of comments from passerbys. Among the handful of "cute boots," and "nice boots" and "hey polka dots!" came my favorite comment- slung at me by a tall, gaunt cowboy looking gentleman in his early to mid fifties. 

Said gent was outside a bar, smoking a cigarette and somehow had managed in between his  puffs to nod at me and say: "Hey, nice boots! You know all the girls in Boston are wearing those boots."

I stopped in my polka dotted tracks. I turned to face him. 
"Oh yeah?" I say.

Cowboy: Exhale. Nod. 
"Yeah," he replied. "All the girls in Boston. Especially the young ones. They go about wearing boots just like that." I nod. 

"They look nice, he says. "You look nice," Boston cowboy hat takes another puff of his cigarette. His face lit up at the memory of all those girls. Wearing all those boots. He smiled, giving me a good look up and down. "Yeah, you look like all the girls in Boston wearing those boots."

Here's where it would have been smart to answer back in my best Goodwill-Hunting accent, to say in my best Ben Affleck/Matt Damon voice a Beantown "Thank you." Only I'm shitty at accents, so I just said it in my signature high pitched Nor-Cal utterance: "Hey yeah, that's cool. Hey thanks!" 

A perky nod, an about face, and a march onto my destination. In my polka dot rainboots. 

Just like all the girls in Boston.


Now Wearing:
Polka Dot Rainboots, similar HERE

Outfit Post: Polyester Plaid + Polka Dots

Only in America, folks. Here you can wear the good ol' red, white and blue and represent the glory of the stars and stripes with a Scottish Tam, a dress from Canada, and handbag made by a Californian designer using vintage British souvenir linen, and slingback shoes from Paris, France. 

Outfit Post: Infinity

I wore this easy wearing navy blue polka dot frock from JACOB the other day, when I went to meet my friend Mary at the airport. She's visiting from my hometown, and I tried to show her the grandeur of my new city, Seattle. Seattle was dolled up in the most charming weather, all sunny and glorious, with birds singing and flowers blooming and everybody smiling. Bells and whistles. All stops. 

outfit post: Hello Cleveland!

outfit post: Stripes & Polka Dots, the Gold Edition

Golden Girl: Sporting a 1970's Vintage Bloomingdales Striped Cardigan

Feeling Golden.I am basking in the glow of my new-to-me vintage gold and black striped cardigan, a gift from the fabulous Ann of Annimal House. To bring out it's '70's character, I paired it with my mid-length vintage sun-dress and tied it with a polka dot sash. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to drag out my striped platform shoes, that I bought over a year ago inspired by a certain Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy, proving the suggestive power of the fashion blogger. She wore the shoes in an outfit- and I went online and ordered the shoes. Thanks Suze, for rocking things the way you do! And thank YOU, Ann for being you!

Now Wearing: 

• Cotton Sun Hat
• Vintage 1970's "Bloomingdales" gold/black cardigan- gifted
• Vintage 1950's cotton sun-dress- thrifted
• Vintage 1960's lucite cameo pin- Fringe on 21
• Vintage 1980's "Leathers by Ann" gold leather bag-thrifted
• Black polka dot tights
• Alice + Olivia striped platforms-Payless Shoes

On MY Polka Dots!

Doing the Polka: Bella Q is sporting her dots!

Everybody, Everywear: "Every girl has her basics, but it’s how she styles those basic that makes her unique. With that thought and a bit of help from twitter, Everybody, Everywear was created. In the world of everyday-fashion, many of us have the same shirt, similar pants or style shoes. But just because we have the same items, doesn’t mean we have to look alike. Everybody, Everywear is a place to share your personal style and gain inspiration from fellow bloggers."

If you are a regular reader of the Citizen Rosebud, you are probably well aware that I like polka dots. I sorta own a lot of clothes and accessories sportin' this classic print. So you would know then, that I HAD to participate in this month's Everybody, Everywear event. Even though, I may have misplaced or lost my camera (insert a very sad face.) So I put my iPhone to good use and attempted to take some shots of my outfit. You are looking at some prime specimen polka dots! Then for shits-and-giggles, I filmed my first "vlog." Oh, so painfully awkward. Go ahead have a laugh on me- I'm such a goof!

Say "Tar-zhay": These are the amazing platform wedges I got from Target for $29.99

outfit post: Bella da Ball

Seriously? Is there a Polka Dots Anonymous? Because I think there's a meeting I need to attend.

Skirting the Issue: I am wearing 2 skirts in lieu of a dress. Don't judge. I like being clever.

This outfit looks so much cuter in my head than it does in the pictures. 

Destination: a fashion show for Sacramento Fashion Week. 

Inspiration: Clown.

I know, I'm CUH-razy! But for some reason I wanted to wear my colored polka dot skirt as a strapless dress- oh yeah, because I wanted to wear my new  We Love Colors red tights. Did you notice something? Yeah, no tights. I couldn't find them in time. Next thing you know is I'm all set on the  multi-colored- skirt-as-dress idea, and I paired it with a polka dot chiffon skirt as a bottom layer. I don't know what time of the day I decided that I looked like a clown and so went all out with the polka dotted ankle socks and a tiny hat, but I did, and there you have it. All I need is an itty-bitty clown car. Oh! And I'm also sporting a LindsayLindsay23 original: it's a killer patent-vinyl fanny pack. Yes. I said "fanny pack." Cool & freaky all at once. Lindsay reconstructed it from a vintage raincoat.  I love the delicate ruffles at the bottom, which you probably can't see very well from the picture. Oh, I'd decribe the bag as cute-bondage chic. With a dash of Harajuku. Yah, like I said CUH-razy. Not shown: a FRA-HEEKING amazing vintage designer jacket circa late 1960's. I'll give you details in a later post. 

Let me take a moment and say HELLO to my new readers. I noticed a bit of a jump recently, and now am honored with 270+ readers.  I've been blessed with making the acquaintance of some pretty cool people, and I'd like to welcome you to my blog! 

Photo Credits: Mama Q

Now Wearing:

Vintage black hat: Antique Fair (under the freeway)

Vintage rayon skirt, worn as dress (Thrift Town)

Chiffon skirt (WEAVE)

LindsayLindsay23 patent vinyl fanny pack (SHOP the Citizen)

Striped sleeveless gloves, We Love Colors Inc.

Vintage jacket (WEAVE)

Ankle socks: Target

Oil-cloth tote: (Thrift Town)

Steve Madden T-strap patent leather shoes

outfit post: Granny Chic

A big thank-you to all you well wishers out there. And an extra big DANKE to those who showed their support this weekend at the new Citizen Rosebud Headquarters. And to the sweet and lovely Lindsay who played perfect hostess offering everybody tea and cookies and making everyone feel at ease in her studio. I am exhausted, but elated. I am immensely touched by all the positive feedback and the support shown me by my friends. THANK YOU! 

I am now going to put some unglamourous 'jammies on and watch Babs do her magic in Funny Face. G'night all. I'll share my adventures with you by Monday!

Now Wearing:

• Etsy- Crochet cloche hat
• Thrifted seed necklace
• Vintage '50's black sweater
• Thrifted Cotton polka-dot dress (SPCA Thrift Store)
• Target (not shown) black A-line skirt
• Vintage polka dot scarf as sash
• Target fish-net knee high socks
• Thrifted patent plastic booties

Connecting the Dots

 You make the memories you'll always remember.

(just remember that)

Now Wearing: 

• Black/Chrome lensed sunnies, Target
• White/Black Swiss-Dot vintage rayon blazer, thrifted (Hope Chest Thrift, Modesto)
• Black/White polka dot rayon romper, Target
• Polka Dot purse, gifted & thrifted, (Goodwill)
• Saddle Shoes, Payless Shoes 

 

polka dots & rosebud

I believe I could wear polka dots everyday of the week. I have enough outfits and accessories to do so. Trust me on this. I guess I'm dotty for dots. Here's one fine example: the most comfortable cotton dress that I bought a few years back from Forever 21. It's been tweaked a bit, as I had decided I liked it better without a collar, and I've layered it with a polka dotted slip dress beneath it. Also added to the mix, a polka-dot sash, polka dot socks and for good measure, a lovely polka-dot print purse that my mama gave me. This outfit got me through my lunch date at Burgers & Brews with my sweet-heart,  a few afternoon errands, and onto my evening where I walked the crowded streets downtown for Sacramento's Art Second Saturday with the BFF. I don't think there's an outfit that's easier to wear than this.

Now Wearing: 

• Black Polka dot print cotton dress, Forever 21
• Duo-polka print slip, Target
• Black Polka dot print vintage sash, Thrift Town
• Black Polka-dot ankle socks, Target
• Black Dansko clogs, Violet Folklore
• Black Polka dot purse w/ shoulder strap, gift from mom (Goodwill)
• Rosebud ring, Forever 21
• Black 1950's vintage hat, flea market
• Attitude, courtesy of the Citizen Rosebud

Inspiration: Boater, Big Glasses and the Perfect Grrl

Where did this photo come from? I'm sure I took it from a street-style fashion blog. Wayne Tippets? Polka Dot? the Streethearts? For the life of me, I can not remember, but I do remember uttering a big sigh when I caught sight of her. PERFECTION. She is funky, sweet looking and so friggin' stylish. Wearing essential elements of the moment: a straw boater (the hat of the summer), sexy big glasses, a rad white suit, "boyfriend" jacket, sheer top, lace trim, polka dots. In short she IS  fashion, summer of 2010, without the slightest hint of try-to-hard. She looks fresh, and makes it all seem so effortless.

In the Moment

 

From where I'm sitting, life looks pretty good.

Here's a few pictures taken of me during my delicious shopping adventures with mi amigas, K & K. It's a classic look for me: a mix of black and white prints, in this case polka dots ( I think I could go a week wearing different polka dotted outfits), plaid paired with a pair of spanish red heels. You may recall from a previous post, WE LIKEY THE RED SHOES.

 

 What I Wore: 

• Black & White Polka-dot print Indian Sari Tunic.  Thrifted. (Came with matching pants, and they are crazyharemcool)
• Polka Dotted Scarf (used as sash). Thrifted.
• Dark rinse Skinny Jeans. Target.
• Made in Spain Vintage Red Leather pumps. A million years ago, Thrifted.
• Black/White Wool Plaid Car Jacket, w/ leather trim. Thrifted. 
• Cuff: Vinyl cuff made of an old record. Cuff's Apparel, Sacramento.
• Vintage Red Leather Handbag. Thrifted.

You may recognize the coat and purse from a previous post. Well, I wear them both almost daily. You are most likely to see them again. ; )