(Delayed Post) Relics and Rarities

Decatur Metro keeps posting great local entertainment ideas, political discussions, restaurant reviews, crime reports and more. 

His post about Relics and Rarities, a downtown Decatur antique car museum and ice cream shop, got my wheels turning immediately. I'm effectively married to a big kid — and I knew he would appreciate Warren Pickard's passion for automobiles and modern car history. Me, well, I knew I would appreciate patronizing a local shop, eating ice cream and seeing my husband act like a school boy.

Dan with Collins before Collins had to skip off to see his grandma and grandpa.

The converted garage really is a labor of love. You can sense Pickard's zeal for entertaining the public and entertaining the local crowds. An adults-only room really dazzles the eyes — and the kid area was a lot of fun, too. If I remember correctly, entrance to the museum is $2 (or free if you buy a $2.50 or $3.50 cup or cone of ice cream). I recommend the cinnamon. The day we visited, R&R was hosting a kid's birthday party.

Verdict: worth the visit whether you're young or old (kids or not). I hope they can keep the doors open with these prices (birthday parties could provide some great additional revenue).

Open 12 to 9 every day. Located at 409 North McDdonough Street (across from the high school); Decatur, Georgia 30030. More info on their Web site.

(Olivia, Tres and baby Collins — we will go again if you want to check it out!)

Another Fall Favorite: Patterned Tights

As I mentioned early into starting this blog, patterned and/or vibrant tights can infuse some life into fall clothes. As far as I'm concerned, tights are one of the most fun parts of cold weather attire!

I was giddy with excitement this morning as I pulled these bad girls out of my sock, nylons and leggings drawer (there may also be a few renegade swim suits in there...). 

Tights are from our Italy trip last year. They came from a store called Intimissimi and were about 10 euros, I think. Shoes are Xhilaration (Target) and were $12.99.

p.s. it was to randomly meet you tonight, blog reader Naomi!

Saturday Style

Sweater and jeans weather is my favorite weather of the year. During the Georgia summer, as everyone else is losing themselves in poolside days, sundresses and halter tops, I yearn for the fall. When others are enjoying spring's cool and misty mornings, I think privately about how spring's humidity doesn't compare to the fall's crispness. 

Fall has officially arrived here. It's time for jeans, sweaters, dresses, patterned tights, wool coats, boots and lightweight scarves. This is the weather I crave — and the clothes feel closest to my personality.

• Military-style sweater: Lauren Mitchell via Ross ($20-ish)
• Billabong tee from Ross (maybe $10?)
• XOXO skinnies ($25)
• Fresh-from-Ross Jessica Simpson buckled leather flats ($25)

I've never owned any J. Simps before... I must admit that I'm digging them. Killer comfortable, durable materials and a rugged chic look. I may have to explore her heels...

Happy Weekend!

(Nearly) A Week in Review

When I wake up, I think I'll be able to pick out in outfit in under a minute. With all the staples that any gal probably has (black skirt, brown skirt, black sweater, black dress, solid and print button-ups, blazers, etc.), it shouldn't be that hard... right?

Turns out that the one-minute estimate is on the way skimpy side. Each morning, I end up spending about 10 minutes second-guessing a boring outfit choice only to grab something funkier from the depths of my wardrobe. Then I triple-guess myself, wondering if the slightly edgier outfit will be too much for my semi-conservative office. Then I land somewhere in the middle. 

I'm working to find the balance between fun/unique and business casual. Where are Stacy and Clinton when I need them?

Monday: OLD black Wal-Mart tank ($10), random black/white shrug sweater from Ross ($12), random Macy's black pencil skirt ($14) with white seams, gifted crimson Nine West shoes

Tuesday: GAP Outlet teal v-neck sweater ($17), GAP Outlet black and teal cap-sleeve blouse ($17) Ann Taylor LOFT lined wool pants via The Nearly New store ($7), gifted Kenneth Cole kitten heel Mary Janes

Wednesday: BCBG dress ($15 from Ross), Target tights ($5?), Lapis black swing coat ($12), Fitzwell heels ($15 plus S&H from www.6pm.com)

The Tuesday dress by its lonesome

Friday: vintage plaid lined cape ($4 plus $10 for alterations), Banana Republic Outlet white button-up ($17), Banana chinos ($6 at The Nearly New), Nine West brown kitten heels ($30)

(Forgot to take photos Thursday — sorry! And it looks like all but one outfit fell under $50)

What do you wear to work?

Find of the Weekend: Grey Luxe Top

The husband and I spent our Friday and Saturday nights in the quaint little town of Dahlonega, Georgia. I can't believe we are already celebrating our one year anniversary...

Anyway, I digress...

One find from this weekend was this Luxe top. The silky smooth purplish-grey blouse features deep under-the-arm holes, a lucite-jeweled neckline and a tie waist. I'm in love!

If you're in Dahlonega and have an itch to do some non-outlet mall shopping, hit up Dress Up Boutique (right off the square). The trendy shop is run by a dedicated, young husband/wife pair. The shop is stocked with tons of crave-worthy threads, most (or all) of which are under $100. My top was $31.

Should I wear this with jeans? Black leggings and platform gladiators? Black skinny jeans and boots? The possibilities are endless!

(More info on visiting Dahlonega in a forthcoming post!)

Second Day of Work: A Little More Fun

My second day of work was a little more fun from both experience and attire perspectives. I'm starting to understand the personalities of my colleagues and better understand the business. And I wore open toe shoes and a belt to cinch my waist.

And did I mention my office is the temperature of a deep freezer? I had goosebumps under my two light sweaters.

• Cream knit top: Christmas gift (Kohl's or somewhere)
• Brown short-sleeve sweater: Mossimo via Target
• Skirt: Banana Republic
• Shoes: Bandolino via Ross
• Belt: Liz Claiborne via Ross
• Necklace: one of the five I bought from eBay last week

What's your business casual look? I need Stacy and Clinton!

First Day of Work (and a <$50 outfit post)

I had trouble falling asleep last night. And this morning TOTALLY felt like the first day of school. 

"What should I wear?" 

"Will these shoes give off a good first impression?" 

"Pants or skirt for the first day?" 

"I wonder how they feel about open toes..."

For my first day at the new (business casual) job, I finally settled on a new-ish black dress, low-heeled Mary Janes and black tights with a barely-visible argyle pattern. I intended to put on my shapes chain necklace but forgot (whoops). Maybe I was too distracted by how the torrential rain was going to ruin my rarely flat-ironed hair? (FYI: I am aware that this photo is terrible — I ran out of time for re-dos.)

I'm already itching to wear something a little more funky (but still totally appropriate and within dress code). Part of this feeling comes from seeing my new colleague Peggy's workplace attire for the second time. When I visited the office two weeks ago, she had on a totally approp bohemian-style dress with creams, teals and browns and fabulous costume jewelry. Today she had on a tiered black dress, black kitten heels with roses on the toes (they were much cuter/less kitsch then they sound) and a cluster of metal, lucite and faux gemstone costume jewelry. Business casual can be fun and professional, right?

Dress: Evan Picone via Ross ($17.99 on clearance)

Tights: Anne Klein ($7.99 for a pack of two - Ross)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (gifted from sister because they were too small for her)

Total: $25.98 (would have been $39.98 if I hadn't forgotten the necklace...)

Now that I have a reason to get dressed every morning, I hope to be back to posting outfits semi-regularly.

Note to self: get a better camera. Either the user or the camera sucks with indoor photos. Question to self: why so shiny? ALL THE TIME?