Turning to face the strange.

When it rains, it pours, eh? Metaphorically speaking of course, for it's a sweltery one. I spent it in a sultrily thin cotton sundress that made me feel all "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

"'Memba how you used to love me?" Dress, thrifted. Belt, thrifted. Bag, thrifted. Shoes, JC Penney. Earrings, thrifted.

Orange is my favorite color...


I thrifted the dress serendipitously when I found it thrown over the rack. Shape unnoticed, I grabbed it prinicipally because the color sang out to me.

Look, I'm Edward Citrushands...

You never know when you'll need a favorite-colored ensemble. I know I do today, for a world of change is headed my way.

The only pair of clip-ons that I own, or that I'd wear. I made a special concession for these.

Remember my raccoon issues? Well, I still got 'em, in spades. And a host of other problems made worse by a super inattentive property management company and The Neighbors from The Bad Place. Like, "call the police, SPCA and Al Sharpton" bad.

So, fantasy love-nest it is no more. We're packing up once again. The good news is, we think we know where to and we think we've really picked a winner this time (this candidate has a dark room in the basement... EEEKKK!!)

And speaking of winners, why don't you try your hand at becoming one (not that you already aren't!) by entering my current contest brought to you by Chickdowntown! I'm really loving all the clips you're sending me.

Yours,

Elissa.

Contest!!!

Yup, again! And this time, even better!

One of my very first style icons was Mary Tyler Moore as Laura Petrie on The Dick van Dyke Show. Classic, clean, feminine and spunky.... I remember that it was this scene that firmly cemented her in my mental lookbook:



Black, skinny pants, pointed flats and a little crew sweater.... le sigh! Now you have the opportunity, courtesy of Chickdowntown, to start putting together your own unforgettable little number.

You (U.S. Residents only, tho) can score this pair of Current Elliott Jeans "The Legging" in Black!


All you have to do is leave a comment with a link to your favorite fashion-inspirational video. It could be a fashion show, a music video, a clip from "Big Love", it could be anything, really! Just leave the link and a blurb on what about it inspires you. Don't forget to leave an email address where you can be reached if you win!

The contests starts today, and ends on July 25th at 12 pm. A winner will be announced shortly thereafter! The prize is available in sizes 24-31... pick yours!

In the meatime, check out the rest of what Chickdowntown has to offer: Citizens of Humanity denim, C.C. Skye Jewelry, L.A.M.B. shoes, and so much more.... slobber....

You can also find Chickdowntown on Twitter and Facebook.

Good luck everyone!

Can't wait to see your fashion inspirational videos,

Elissa.

Like buttah.

The other day, my Sweets and I went to a butterfly show and gave the macro setting on my camera quite a workout...

This is my very favorite color right now... "Do you have this in Neon Butterfly Green?"

I've never been a butterfly kind of a girl, in fact, I often find their lilting flight to be kind of clumsy-- as if a telephone book were to take to the air.

You should click on the image for the full effect... this guy's understated, turkey-like coloring is quite beautiful close up!

Seeing them proximally, however, gave me a new appreciation for the frolicky fellers... and it's something I haven't done in a long time; in fact, I think the last time I saw a butterfly (not of the cabbage variety) could very possibly be years ago. That's citification for ya.

Definitely click this one too... you can actually see all the yellow pollen on his wings and legs!

This pretty little dude is blue on his topside, and orange on the bottom.

Lovely, and kind of delicious-looking, like a young walnut.

And now, ever since the show, I can't get their stunning, temporal beauty out of my head-- and wish there were a way to make a necklace of butterfly wings sans cruelty. Til then, I'll settle for these:

Nicholas Kirkwood at Farfetch. Guh-guh-guhhhh.....

Free People Top at Chickdowntown.

Summit Fashion Rhinestone Sandal at Amazon. Brings out my inner Mariah Carey.

Jordan Maxi Dress at Chickdowntown.

Digital Butterfly Wings Print Leggings at Topshop.

Customized Vans Sneakers by Anissa Housley.

Chris Benz Skirt at Shopbop.

I'm-a wing my way to bed, now... let's all hope I don't have to work yet another 11-hour day tomorrow!

Yours,

Elissa.

My fourth and our winner!

I've been having one helluva sweet weekend, I hope you all have, too. It's summer, damnit, why hold back??

Yesterday, I baked a special 2-layer "America" cake... the top layer was blue, and the bottom layer red:

Here, you see the bottom layer coming together rather "spuma"-like.

Then, I sat and waited while the cake baked and cooled, so I could decorate it and take it to a party that night.

Tank: JCrew. Skirt: Mayan Connection, picked up at last weekend's festival. Sandals: Delia's.

Due to its moistness, the cake died a thousand deaths in between being taken from the oven and being all decked with my symbolist flag and sparklers. Luckily, I managed to glue the cake together with a second can of whipped icing, adding, I might say, a delicious je ne sais quoi to both taste and texture.

Yes, I am also responsible for the Peen-tini.

Yes... yes... light it up.....!



Hooray!


I'm proud to say both that the cake was a rather rousing success, and that There Is Indeed a Winner to the iPod Shuffle Giveaway!!!


Using Random.org's scientifically proven Random Number Generator, I determined entrant #16 to be the winner! Will the contestant known as BigGame please stand up? And then sit back down and email me at spandexpony@gmail.com so you can get your Shuffle! Congratulations! In tribute to BigGame, a video from the artist they suggested to me, Katy Perry -- who really kicks it acoustic.



A great big thank you to all of the contestants for entering-- and keep your eyes peeled because there might just be another great contest lurking on the horizon!

Stay tuned,

Elissa.

Happy Fourth!

Here's wishing you all a festive, firework-filled weekend! Do nothing-- or everything!

U.S.A.!! U.S.A.!!

Or at the very least, be sure to enter The Contest! There are 36 more hours left to join the fray!

Yours,

Elissa.

Long drives, noxious fumes.

I spent most of today driving around in the country for work, and chasing down a potential new opportunity. I also took some time out to make good on my promise to demonstrate exciting new frontiers in khaki-skirt wearing.

Shoes: Steve Madden. Skirt: Target. Shirt: Forever 21. Shades: vintage shop.

Unfortunately, a case of The Awkwards afflicted my shooting, and therefore my ability to properly demonstrate the awesome shape of this shirt, which is like a delicate, drapey, letter "A"-- longer on the sides and shorter in the center. I love it muchly.




The shades I picked up at a vintage store in town called Flower Child. It's operated by the guy that did the sets for "A Christmas Story". The original 1960's tag was still on them, and I love them for their mad-scientist/goggle properties and "squoval" shape.

Mmm... the sweet smell of biodiesel.

Metric, by the way, makes great driving music. Behold this video for "Help I'm Alive" which, while a fan video, is a particularly good one, appealing to my love of collage.



I'm positively chuffed by the number of entrants in The Contest! If you haven't yet entered, there's still 3 1/2 days left to enter this random drawing for an iPod Shuffle!

Good night and good luck,

Elissa.