Celebrating the Fool and her day, I'm having an April Fools Sale in the Etsy shop- 25% off EVERYTHING! So here's a chance to help a fool and get something cool.The SALE is going on from now, and all day April 1st.

Chicago artist Pat Otto set about to simplify her wardrobe for a year by upcycling her old clothes. It is now year three.

When Pao started her blog, Project Minima, it was her artist's way to clean up the clutter in her house, namely her closets, and minimize her consumption. Thus, a part art, part sewing, part personal style blog was born. 

Bursting with Blossom: Spring makes for seriously fun dress ups attempts.

Spring is my favorite season, especially this time of year. I pull all my floral frocks out, and pretty much layer on whatever springtime folly I can think of- usually in the form of a ridiculous hat. By which I mean a vintage (usually floral) one. I'm not sure why, other than it's FUN.

Which you'd never guess by how seriously serious I am in these photos. I swear to blog, I wasn't meaning to mad dog the camera.

Watch tha' Birdie (image source)

Dollar for dollar, choosing well made, long lasting garments gives you the best style bang for your buck.

With  less than 15 minutes to get dressed and out the door, I needed an outfit that looked well put together, professional yet creative. I also wanted to be wearing something I felt comfortable in, and that felt "like me." I didn't want to look as off-the-cuff as I felt, and didn't have the time, or the budget to shop for something brand new.

The smug look on my face is probably from the fact I was feeling super smart and clever in my 100% SECONDHANDFIRST outfit. 

I can't say that it was ALL "thrifted," because it wasn't. It's EVEN better. STOP. Hear me out. The shirt and the shorts were freebies, cast offs by their previous owners, and picked up by me. A floral polyester shirt isn't for the weak of heart, it's a kind of meshy, thin late 1970s polyester, not exactly screaming "lux." And, the vintage "mom" jeans were abandoned for good reason.

Citizen Rosebud Vintage: Fresh Picks for Fine Folks

Oh I've been busy as a leprechaun, posing in front of the camera, and listing some of my best frocks and follies for my shops on eBay and Etsy. Possibly because this week had a certain green loving holiday in it, or possibly because there spring time budding on the trees all around me, but right now, I am all about the green!

Heavy Metal, Lite: Baby Metal wants Chocolate.

"Somewhere in Norway there is a metal-head in corpse paint standing in a forest crying tears of blood.”  -Octopit to Jezebel

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.

This is the next installment of our new culture feature, mid-week: Mind the Music. Each Wednesday, we'll be posting some great tunes to get your toes tapping, and you, through to the end of your work week. Happy listening!

Whoa boy.

I'm not talking about THESE Golden Girls:

Last year, I invited you to join me to take the pledge and shop SECONDHAND FIRST. Many of you have been doing just that for many years already- and it was just a reminder to stay strong, and keep it up! Like some, I've been "thrift" shopping my whole life, and an ethical/green business advocate for nearly a decade. The pledge combines both principles, and provides room for each of us to do what we can do, and make the world a better place, one shopping decision at a time.

For those who may not know, here's the pledge in its entirety:

People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.   -Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

20 on +40 :The Gentlemen's Edition

Note:  To showcase the wide appeal of +40 bloggers that goes beyond their own age-group, I'm starting a new blog  feature, the 20 on +40. This feature will showcase 20 other friends in the community who pick their favorite +40 blogger, interview them, and write about it.  This is the third of the series.

The Grey Fox blog stands out as a +40 fashion blog written by, and for men. David is in his fifties, a tireless advocate for British made goods, and his fashion blog, Grey Fox is a must read for any who seek an offering of men's style. Who could more perfectly interview David, a singular +40 fashion blogger, than another British gent who stands out in a sea of feminine voices,  the singularly unique twenty-something image consultant, Arash Mazinani? 
 

Grey (Fox) matters: Exploring the search for mature style from a +40 man's perspective.