Can I Take Your Order?

When I was a kid, my friends and I loved playing restaurant. Between all of our basements, we would have a sweet setup of tables, chairs, and fake food that would would serve to our fake guests until all hours of the night. I pretty much decided that being a waitress was my destiny in life. 

So then I majored in hotels and restaurants in college, and after a four-stint in the food service industry and several serving gigs, I realized that my childhood dream was actually not my thing. Turns out imaginary people are a lot easier to serve than real people with hungry tummies! Not to mention that when we were kids, we didn't have to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays. We could just quit when we got bored.

Hence, why I now work in an office. 

The other day I wore this little ensemble that, after leave my apartment, I thought maybe seemed a little more appropriate for a 1950's diner than a corporate office. All I needed were my plastic cat eye glasses that I wore with a 50's girl outfit in 5th grade. Since I didn't have enough time to take photos in the morning when I left, I hurried outside when I got home to take advantage of the remaining evening daylight, which gets less and less every day. So sad.

This button up houndstooth shirt was a fantastic find at Wears Like New in Hershey, PA. An Express top for two bucks--how could I not buy it? It's actually been sitting in my closet for about a month and a half because I usually don't like the way collared shirts look on me. However, it looked a little less waitress and a little more polished when tucked into a black skirt.

I think the automatic flood light adds a nice touch, don't you think? 

Hello, Summer.

Here in Central PA, we have two seasons: summer and winter-- when it's not unbearably cold it is unbearably hot, with a few comfortable days thrown in between. 

With little warning, summer has arrived at full force. Dressing up at these temperatures seems a bit redundant considering I'm just going to sweat off all the makeup and feel uncomfortable, but I've been trying to find ways to keep my summer looks simple yet stylish. Not to mention I get a wonderful sense of accomplishment when I wear an outfit that was (almost!) completely thrifted and super cheap.

I mentioned this blue tank from the Allentown Goodwill in this post, where I also told the story of the beloved flower bag, which has become a staple of my wardrobe (seriously! It goes with EVERYTHING!). The shorts are from Gabriel Bros. in Altoona, (which if you have never checked out, you need to--think TJ Maxx meets Ollie's. I promise, it's great.) which are Express brand that I got for eight dollars. Why were they so cheap? Because they're missing the button. When I wear them, I just fasten them short with a fun brooch--this one is from Clothes Mentor, a new consignment shop that just opened in State College. The seed necklace was a garage sale find from many, many years ago that I'm pretty sure sat in my dress-up trunk all throughout my childhood. 

Since my curly hair does not react well to the summer heat, I've found my go-to summer hairstyle that I have been doing almost every day since the temperature has skyrocketed--it's just a quick and easy messy updo where I just twist go crazy with bobby pins. I also (was just talked into buying at the salon) bought some awesome Redken Radiant Sea Salt spray that adds great texture. Come on--it smells FANTASTIC, and the girl told me it would be perfect for Jamaica. Plus, I had a 20% off coupon. 

What are your staple summer looks?